The David L. Garbers Memorial Lectureship was established to honor the long and distinguished career of a superb scientist and a beloved friend and colleague.

Dr. Garbers devoted his scientific career to reproductive biology, an interest that began during his childhood on a Wisconsin farm. After receiving his Bachelor of Science, masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he moved to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine to pursue his postdoctoral studies with Dr. Joel Hardman. In 1974, Dr. Garbers began his independent career at Vanderbilt in the Department of Physiology and became a professor there in 1982. In 1976 he was appointed as an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, He continued to hold this position for the next 30 years, making him one of the longest-serving HHMI researchers.

Dr. Garbers joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 1990 as a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and in 1999 was named director of the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and holder of the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Distinguished Chair in Reproductive Biology Sciences. He received many honors for his scientific accomplishments, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; and the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas.

Dr. Garbers’ research focused on characterizing the chemo-sensory and mechanical components that permit sperm to target and fertilize eggs. More recently, he was engaged in developing methods for the maintenance, differentiation and genetic manipulation of male germline stem cells. His basic contributions have broad practical implications, ranging from the development of male contraceptives to potentially correcting genetic defects in humans. Well-known for his easy-going style, superlative mentoring ability, and brilliant insight, Dr. Garbers remains an inspiration to all who knew him. He was a scientific bloodhound—following the scent of a biological problem wherever it led him. Information about the Memorial Symposium held following Dr. Garbers' death in 2006 can be found here.

The inaugural David Garbers lecture will be presented by Elizabeth Blackburn, Ph.D. on November 5, 2008.