Sometimes a professor makes such an impact that their legacy keeps growing and growing. That is the inspiration behind Brooklyn College’s new Peter and Anne Lipke Professorship in Biology. Made possible through a gift from Professor Lipke’s former student Chafen Lu—a former assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School—the professorship honors Lipke’s legacy as a biology professor, which began at the college in 2006. Instrumental in the growth of the college’s School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences through his service as a faculty member and department chair, which included mentoring countless students and faculty, Lipke began his CUNY teaching career at Hunter College in 1978 before coming to Brooklyn College, a tenure spanning close to 50 years. Throughout his career, Anne counseled, tutored, and fed students. She served as lab manager before and after her career as a NYC public school teacher. They co-taught at Brooklyn College. (From left) Timothy Springer (Chafen Lu’s husband), Chafen Lu, Peter Lipke, and Anne Lipke. Lipke was particularly passionate about teaching and mentoring diverse students who might not otherwise be exposed to biological science. This led to him being awarded the prestigious American Society for Microbiology (ASM) William A. Hinton Award for Advancement of a Diverse Community of Microbiologists in 2018. “Through the generosity of Chafen Lu, the Peter and Anne Lipke Professorship in Biology will celebrate the legacy of one of Brooklyn College’s most distinguished and accomplished science faculty members while continuing to offer our diverse students a strong foundation in biological sciences,” said President Michelle J. Anderson. “On behalf of the college, I would like to thank Chafen, Peter, and his wife and partner, Anne, for their incredible contributions to the lives of our students.” “This is an incredible honor for Anne and me. It is so much more special because it includes the generosity of a former student. We hope it will inspire students and faculty to sustain the great research, mentoring, and teaching in the sciences at Brooklyn College,” Lipke said. Lipke retired from Brooklyn College in Spring 2024 and was instrumental in the lives of countless students, including Lu. Lu earned her Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the CUNY Graduate School, where Lipke was her thesis adviser. Her mentor and professor also co-authored her first seven research papers, including her published Ph.D. work. An accomplished researcher, Lu did postdoctoral work at Harvard and then worked at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, where she led the multidisciplinary drug discovery and development teams before joining the Harvard Medical School pediatrics faculty. Lu is named as the inventor on 24 current or pending patents and serves on the Marine Biological Laboratory Council, an advisory body of the Marine Biological Laboratory. Lu credits Lipke for introducing her to molecular biology while she was a student in China and later for encouraging her to move to New York City and enroll in the CUNY system. “Peter is an inspiration for me, both in my personal journey and scientific journey,” Lu said. “But more importantly, Peter is dedicated to mentoring, education, teaching, and campus diversity. What could be better than establishing a professorship to honor him, to keep his legacy and values of teaching students and promoting equity and diversity for generations to come? I hope this gift will advance the scientific community at Brooklyn College and support its undergraduate students, faculty, and research interns.” A special event, “Science and Stories: A Symposium and Retirement Celebration in Honor of Peter Lipke,” was held at Brooklyn College on Nov. 22, 2024, to celebrate Lipke’s exceptional career. The symposium brought together scientists, storytellers, friends, and family to honor the Lipkes’ contributions to science and education. Most recently named a Distinguished Lecturer by the ASM for 2024–26, Peter Lipke is a world-renowned microbiologist who specialized in the study of fungi—specifically how protein amyloids affect adhesion of the fungi, the host response to colonization by fungi, and whether amyloid-targeted drugs can be developed as antifungals. He has authored 119 papers and several patent applications, and he was also elected to the American Academy of Microbiology and as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Lipke earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California-Berkley.
