Dr. Marcy Speer
1959–2007

Words presented by Dr. Joe Heitman honoring Dr. Marcy Speer
and announcing the Speer Memorial Scholarship

We are here today to honor and commemorate Marcy Speer, our cherished colleague and friend who passed away this summer from breast cancer. 

Marcy was a renowned scientist, mentor, teacher, administrator, and friend. And although her life was shorter than any of us would have wished, her accomplishments were legion and her heart touched everyone whom she met.

Marcy graduated from Indiana University with a degree in math, and then completed a master’s degree in genetic counseling at Sarah Lawrence College. Her Ph.D. studies at Duke were conducted with Mark Rausher as a student in the genetics program, and she then completed post-doctoral studies at Columbia University.

Marcy returned to Duke in 1994 as a faculty member and immediately became a key member of the genetics and genomics program. She chaired the Admissions Committee for several years and then served as the Director of Graduate Studies, ensuring students’ voices were heard, and guiding them through key career choices. Marcy really served as another director for the program, and enriched the program in everything she did.

Marcy’s own research focused on common, complex human genetic diseases, and interactions between genes and the environment, with an emphasis on birth defects. Her lab recently cloned two muscular-dystrophy genes, leading to diagnostic tests. She trained four graduate students and served on countless thesis and prelim committees. Marcy advanced the program curriculum, both organizing and teaching courses. And it is especially fitting that a new course will be taught this spring on Genetic Epidemiology, realizing Marcy’s vision of extending the program’s compass. That Marcy was an alumnus of the program herself highlights the potential for success, and she exemplified and championed women in science. Marcy opened her heart and her home and her life to all of us, and enriched our lives in so many ways.

Because of Marcy’s myriad accomplishments, the Marcy Speer Scholarship has been established to honor her memory and create an enduring legacy. Marcy epitomized what we all strive for in science and life, to truly make a difference in the lives and careers of others.

We are indebted to the deans at Duke (Sandy Williams, Jo Rae Wright and Sally Kornbluth, with support from the chancellor Victor Dzau) who provided the resources to support a current second-year student in the genetics program. The intent is to recognize not only talented, meritorious students, but also those who epitomize those ideals Marcy held so dear. This year’s recipient is Kaitlin Stimpson, a student in Beth Sullivan's lab, whose studies focus on a novel mammalian cell model to study segregation and fate of chromosomes with two centromeres. Kaitlin is a vibrant, active program member, and one already making substantial contributions to a robust intellectual environment at Duke. Please join us in congratulating Kaitlin on this accomplishment.

Marcy will be remembered not only for her contributions to science and Duke, but also to her family, community, and the world. Although her time with us was far too short, her impact was immense. She lived life to its fullest and as an adventure. At her funeral, Marcy’s brother reflected that the one word which best described her was beautiful. And for all of us whose lives were so touched by Marcy, she truly was beautiful in every way.

Speer Memorial Scholarship

Speer Memorial Scholarship Award Ceremony photos

Other Tributes to Dr. Marcy Speer

Nature Genetics [pdf]

PLoS Genetics

Mid-Atlantic MIRECC [pdf]

Outstanding CSR Reviewer Award Established [pdf]