Jeanne S. Poindexter
July 15, 2020
It is with sadness that we share the passing of MBL Society Emeritus Member Jeanne S. Poindexter who died on July 15, 2020. The MBL flag will be lowered in her memory.
Dr. Poindexter was Professor Emerita in the Department of Biological Sciences at Barnard College. She served as a faculty member in the Microbial Diversity course throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was recognized for her pioneering research on the stalked bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. In 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named a bacterial virus after her (the Poindextervirus), an honor reserved for famous scientists who have worked on such organisms (bacteriophages).
Dr. Poindexter is survived by her husband Porter R. Poindexter; daughters Portia J. Poindexter, Carla Poindexter White, and Claire Mills; brother and sister-in-law Howard and Marcia Stove (Indiana); three sons-in-law; two grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration will be planned for a later date.
Donations can be made in her memory to Barnard College Jeanne S. Poindexter Memorial Fund (please note Jeanne’s name as the “relationship to Barnard”) or by check made out to Barnard College, Attention: Lisa Yeh (please note name on the check) or to the Covenant House New York (please note name on the check or on-line donation).