Dr. Sarah Lea McGuire, associate professor of biology at Millsaps College, has been named this year's recipient of the Millsaps Distinguished Professor Award. The award, one of the highest honors that the college can bestow, recognizes faculty members who inspire students through their excellence as teachers. The award also honors those whose writing, research and artistic accomplishments are of the highest quality and serve to enhance their teaching.

"Dr. McGuire has a consistent record of providing classes that are rigorous and challenging, yet fair," said Richard Smith, senior vice president and dean of the college, during recent commencement ceremonies. "Her students find that her teaching enables them to take intellectual risks and grow as learners. Many of her students are accepted into prestigious graduate programs, where they report they are far better prepared than most of their fellow students."

McGuire's research focuses on identifying, cloning and characterizing new fungal genes that are involved in controlling cell division. The fungal model system is used because the genes that control cell division in fungi are very similar to those in humans. McGuire has identified four new genes involved in controlling cell division, three of which help to ensure that cell division is halted in the presence of DNA damage. Her work has been recognized by grants from the National Institutes of Health. McGuire has also published several scientific articles, culminating in a major paper in Genetics, one of the most respected journals in her field.

McGuire has been instrumental in developing courses for the Millsaps core curriculum that provide broad, challenging exposure to chemistry, biology, physics and geology. She has also initiated a support system for junior science faculty, aided in the development of laboratory-based sciences at Millsaps and directed the Ford Teaching Fellows Program.

"No one works alone in science. No one accomplishes anything without the support of others around them," McGuire said. "I've been fortunate all of my life to have wonderful people surrounding me, supporting me and encouraging me. From the day I arrived at Millsaps, I have been supported by the College, the science division, the biology department and the students."