Sad News: Pinina Norrod

Dear all,

I am writing with the sad news of the death on April 28th of Pinina Norrod, emerita professor of Biology. Professor Norrod came to Vassar in 1983 and retired in 2007. During her time at Vassar she served as a role model and mentor for many biology and biochemistry students. She participated in the Biochemistry Interdepartmental program and the Science, Technology and Society program, where she taught a course called “Microbial Wars.” In the Biology department she taught, in particular, an extremely popular course in microbiology.

Her microbiology lab, funded by the National Institute of Health, was the inspiration for many Vassar students to enter careers in biomedical research, medicine and public health, which was a field of particular importance to her. During the AIDS epidemic, for example, she urged the department to introduce an understanding of the HIV virus at every level of the Biology curriculum. She also served as an important mentor for women faculty at the beginning of their careers, in keeping with her dedication to bringing more women into the field.

Her dedication to her students, her contributions to the field of biology and public health, and her encouragement of female colleagues in the sciences made her a valued mentor, colleague, and scholar. We are grateful for all that she brought to the Vassar community.

In sadness,

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar