Encounters in Microbiology

Dr. I. Edward Alcamo, whose contributions to science education spanned 35 years, was Professor of Microbiology at the State University of New York at Farmingdale. As an undergraduate biology student at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., Dr. Alcamo first expressed an interest in becoming a microbiology educator. He began teaching courses just a few years later and went on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at St. John's University, Jamaica, N.Y. Michael Vinciguerra, Provost at the State University of New York at Farmingdale wrote, "In 1970, when I joined the faculty of SUNY Farmingdale as a chemistry professor, Ed's reputation as an excellent biology educator was already well known. He and I taught many of the same students, and I would often hear them comment on how demanding he was, but also how clear and well organized his presentations were." Both colleagues and students mention Dr. Alcamo's ability to communicate complex information so it is readily understandable, interesting, and challenging. He continued to develop these qualities in his teaching through his dedication and caring for students, while consistently introducing innovative and creative instructional methods and materials. His lectures included numerous exercises that involved active learning techniques, and his lab classes required students to learn by doing.A prolific author, Dr. Alcamo produced a broad array of publications including several learning guides and textbooks, including Fundamentals of Microbiology, now in its 8th edition, and the recently published Microbes and Society. He also prepared the encyclopedia entry for Encarta entitled "Procaryotes," as well as The Microbiology Coloring Book, and Schaum's Outline of Microbiology. His other books published within the past several years include AIDS: The Biological Basis, DNA Technology: The Awesome Skill, The Biology Coloring Workbook, and Anatomy and Physiology The Easy Way.Service to the science and profession of microbiology education was also a favorite cause of Dr. Alcamo. He was a charter member and Chair of ASM's Division W and was the founding editor of the newsletter Focus on Microbiology Education. He chaired the College Section of the National Association of Biology Teachers in 1998-99 and was an active member of his campus and local communities.Dr. Alcamo was named recipient of the 2000 Carski Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award, an honor for exemplary teaching of microbiology to undergraduate students and for encouraging students to subsequent achievement. At that year's ASM General Meeting in Los Angeles, he delivered the Carski Lecture entitled "The Top Ten Challenges Confronting Microbiology Education in the 21st Century."Dr. Alcamo's contributions to teaching have been recognized by his institution with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching and The President's Memorial Award for Excellence in Curriculum Development and Scholarship. In 1994 he was promoted to the coveted rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor, an honor held by only one percent of 34,000 faculty at the State University of New York. He also earned the NABT Outstanding Biology Teaching Award in 1990 and was elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in 1989. Dr. John Lennox, Professor of Microbiology at Penn State and Dr. Alcamo's nominator concluded, "As a mentor and teacher he has influenced the lives and careers of thousands of aspiring microbiologists, allied health professionals and educators."Ed Alcamo died of cancer on December 11, 2002 barely six months after diagnosis. He leaves behind his wife Charlene ("No man could be prouder of his wife"), his son Michael, and three daughters Elizabeth, Patricia, and Tracey (his "three wonderful young ladies").For those who are interested, Charlene Alcamo has requested that Ed be honored with a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Long Island.