Leo W. Parks Distinguished Lectureship
History of Dr. Leo W. Parks
Dr. Leo W. Parks, Professor Emeritus, was born in Wetaug, Illinois, and raised in the Chicago area. He received his B.S. with honors from the University of Illinois, Master’s degree from Indiana University, and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Under the auspices of a National Academy of Sciences Fellowship, he was a post-doctoral research associate in biochemistry at the Argonne National Laboratory. This was interrupted for active duty service in the US Army. After his service, Dr. Parks joined the faculty at Oregon State University (OSU) as an assistant professor and progressed through the ranks to professor. Dr. Parks came to NC State in 1985 as a professor and the head of the Department of Microbiology.
During his career, thirty-two graduate students earned their doctoral degrees under his supervision. His research focused on the biosynthesis of ergosterol in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a target for antifungals. Dr. Parks regularly taught the undergraduate and graduate courses in Microbial Physiology, and he served as Head of the Department of Microbiology from 1985 through 1993. At the commencement ceremony in May 2001, the graduating microbiology undergraduate students presented Dr. Parks with a plaque to recognize his outstanding teaching and to express their gratitude to him. Dr. Leo Parks has since retired, and he currently lives with his wife, Nancy, in Seattle, Washington.
The Leo W. Parks Distinguished Lectureship in Microbiology
This lecture series was created to honor Dr. Parks in perpetuity for his selfless attitude and many contributions to the NC State community. The Lectureship is made possible by the generous donors who helped establish a permanent endowment in the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., with matching support from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (PMB) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at North Carolina State University. Special thanks to Warren Casey and Hosni Hassan for their leadership role in the creation of the endowment.
We extend our gratitude and many thanks to all the generous donors to the endowment, including alumni, family, friends, NCSU and corporations, that make this Lectureship possible.
2024 L.W. Parks Lecture Schedule
Wellness Workshop: Strategies for Taking Care of Your Well-Being
Luke Strawn (He/Him) Med, LCMHC, Embedded counselor, CALS & COS
Welcoming all students, Faculty, and Staff! Come join us to learn techniques that help you to focus on proactive behaviors that promote balance in your life.
March 28, 2024 2:00 – 3:00 PM, 3503 Thomas Hall (in-person only)
This professionally led workshop with cover five topics: 1) Identify strategies for enhancing resilience; 2) Define self-care, focusing on proactive behaviors that promote balance; 3) Examine overall impact of sleep hygiene; 4) Identify campus resources and discuss how to access them; and 5) Discuss warning signs for needing support for yourself and others. Please join us as Luke leads us in a safe, engaging workshop for better health and success.
Sponsored by the LW Parks Lectureship.
March 26, 2024; 4 pm;
EDT: Distinguished Lecture
Zoom for remote access:
Meeting ID: 965 2750 2978
Passcode: 060559
Wellness Workshop: Strategies for Taking Care of Your Well-Being
Luke Strawn (He/Him) Med, LCMHC, Embedded counselor, CALS & COS
Welcoming all students, Faculty, and Staff! Come join us to learn techniques that help you to focus on pro-active behaviors that promote balance in your life.
Sponsored by the LW Parks Lectureship
MARCH 28. 2024 2:00 – 3:00 PM, 3503 Thomas Hall
Past Lectures Funded by the Leo W. Parks Distinguished Lectureship
Mary K. Firestone, Manu Prakash, Susan S. Golden, Dennis Dean, Martin Warren, Russell Rodriguez, Matthew Chapman, Allan Konopka, Rodolphe Barrangou, Nicholas Ornston, Peter Greenberg, Derek Lovely, Caroline Harwood, Patrick Dennis, and many other extraordinary researchers
Contact Information for L.W. Parks Lectureship
Chris Cammarene-Wessel
North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc.
North Carolina State University
Box 7645
Raleigh, NC 27695
919-515-7678
chris_wessel@ncsu.edu