Martha J. Powell
Martha J. Powell | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 27, 1948 |
| Died | June 20, 2023 (aged 75) |
| Education | Ph.D. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 1974 |
| Spouse | Will H. Blackwell |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields |
|
| Institutions | |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | M.J.Powell |
Martha Jane Powell (27 January 1948 – 20 June 2023) was an American Mycologist, Distinguished Professor of Botany at Miami University, and Chairman of the Biological Sciences Department at The University of Alabama. Powell was an elected fellow at the Mycological Society of America and served as Treasurer, Vice President, President, and Program Director for the organization.
Personal life
Powell was born in Charlotte, North Carolina[1] to parents John James and Martha Lee Powell.[2] She was inspired to study mycology by the glow of Omphalotus olearius mushrooms she had placed in her bedroom after finding them in the woods.[2]
Powell met her husband, Will H. Blackwell, while working at Miami University.[2]
Career
Powell attended Sylva-Webster High School[3] before graduating with a degree in science education from Western Carolina University[2] in 1969.[4] She completed her Ph.D. in Botany[3] at UNC Chapel Hill in 1974, where she studied under William Koch and John Nathaniel Couch.[2] After completion of her Ph.D., she worked with Charles E. Bracker at Purdue University as a postdoctoral researcher.[1]
Powell started at Miami University as an assistant professor in 1976.[2]
Powell was awarded the Mycological Society of America (MSA) C. J. Alexopoulos Prize in 1981,[5] an award for outstanding early career mycologists.[6] She later went on to hold roles of Treasurer from 1986–1989,[7] Vice President in 1989,[8] President in 1991,[9][10] and Program Director at MSA.[1] Powell was elected as an MSA fellow in 2006.[4]
In 1994, Powell was named a Distinguished Professor of Botany at Miami University.[11] Powell became the Chairman of the Biological Sciences department at The University of Alabama in 1997.[3]
In 2011, Powell won The University of Alabama's Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award for strengthening undergraduate education in the sciences.[12][13]
Awards
- 1981 - Mycological Society of America C. J. Alexopoulos Prize[5]
- 2011 - The University of Alabama Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award[12]
References
- ^ a b c Blackwell, Will. "Biography of Dr. Martha J. Powell". Collection of Zoosporic Eufungi at University of Michigan (CZEUM).
- ^ a b c d e f Davis, William J. (16 April 2024). "Martha Jane Powell, 27 January 1948-20 June 2023: Distinguished chytrid taxonomist and mentor". Mycologia. 116 (4). Akron, Ohio: 621–624. doi:10.1080/00275514.2024.2335863.
- ^ a b c d "Alumni with local ties honored during WCU homecoming". The Sylva Herald & Ruralite. Sylva, North Carolina. 13 November 2014. p. 7A.
- ^ a b c "Professor Recognized by Alma Mater". The University of Alabama. 10 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Past C.J. Alexopoulos Prize Awardees". msafungi.org. Mycological Society of America. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "C.J. Alexopoulos Prize". msafungi.org. Mycological Society of America. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Society Organization 1988–1989" (PDF). Mycological Society of America Newsletter. Vol. 39, no. 2. October 1988. p. 4. ISSN 0541-4938.
- ^ "Society Organization 1989–1990" (PDF). Mycological Society of America Newsletter. Vol. 40, no. 2. October 1989. p. 4. ISSN 0541-4938.
- ^ "Presidents of the Mycological Society" (PDF). August 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Society Organization 1990-91" (PDF). Mycological Society of America Newsletter. Vol. 41, no. 2. October 1990. p. 4. ISSN 0541-4938.
- ^ "A Fond Farewell to Outgoing Professors". The University of Alabama Department of Biological Sciences. 2020.
- ^ a b Bryant, Chris (15 November 2011). "Biologist with Penchant for Strengthening Science Education Named UA's Outstanding Professor". Tuscaloosa, Alabama: The University of Alabama.
- ^ "In Memory of Dr. Martha Powell". The University of Alabama. 25 June 2023.