JOEL OPPENHEIM

OPPENHEIM--Joel David. Joel spent his life endeavoring to create a more equitable society. Joel was Professor Emeritus and Diversity Advisor to the Office of Science Research at NYU School of Medicine, where he served on the admissions committees for the M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. programs. His leadership increased the participation of women and minorities in doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences. He supervised a National Institutes of Health-funded research lab and served as graduate advisor for the Department of Microbiology, Senior Associate Dean for Biomedical Sciences, and Director of the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences. In these positions, Joel oversaw approximately 350 students and over 700 postdoctoral trainees annually, as well as twelve graduate research training programs. Joel created the largest university-based career development programs for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows in the country. He served on many national advisory committees, on numerous grant study sections, and as a reviewer for the National Research Council, National Science Foundation, and National Academy of Sciences. He lectured widely on topics in graduate education, ranging from how to prepare for and apply to graduate and professional schools to institutional strategies for the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students. He was a founding member of the Leadership Alliance, which received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Mathematics. Joel received the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences' Lifetime Mentor Award. Joel mentored thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to emulate his commitment to equity in science. Most importantly, Joel was a friend to all. During his retirement he continued his work by serving on review panels for prestigious awards like the Freeman Hrabowski award, consulting with HBCUs across the country, and serving on the board of BioBus, a science education nonprofit known for its mobile labs. He leaves behind a loving wife, Susan, two daughters, Gena and Lisa, two grandchildren, and a loving sister. His legacy will live on in all of the people that he has touched. His life was a roadmap of service, integrity and generosity. Death may end a life, but it will never end the love. In memory of Joel and his dedication to equity, the family asks for donations to BioBus (donate.biobus.org/Joel), in lieu of flowers.