A foundation for discovery: Alumna helps future scientists chart their path

From studying blood cancers to preparing astronauts for the conditions of space, Karin Loftin, PhD ’79, followed her passion for laboratory research wherever it led. Now she is helping future scientists do the same.

Karin’s interest in laboratory research grew out of her undergraduate studies in cellular biology, which introduced her to the possibilities of scientific discovery. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she continued building her laboratory expertise by training as a medical technologist.

“I really enjoyed the laboratory work,” she said. “That’s when I started looking for research opportunities related to clinical aspects of medicine.”

Her love of the laboratory and interest in medical applications of biology led her to pursue a doctorate at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

At the beginning of her graduate program, Karin rotated through laboratories across the Texas Medical Center before choosing to conduct her research in a partnering lab at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s former Dental Science Institute. For her PhD studies, she investigated the role of cellular immunology in response to dental plaque, a project that sparked her interest in infectious disease.

“I appreciated the graduate school because it gave students a nice broad spectrum,” she said.

Her training was so encompassing that it allowed her to forge a career that took many paths. She applied cellular immunology to AIDS, lymphomas, and leukemias during a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; worked with a NASA contractor to prepare astronauts for spacewalks in the neutral buoyancy laboratory; studied West Nile virus with the Norfolk Department of Public Health in Norfolk, Virginia; and served as a biosafety officer at Texas A&M University, among other roles.

Now retired—and a lover of horses all her life—Karin has spent the last several years learning dressage, the art of guiding a horse through precise movements using subtle cues. She has also spent time planning her charitable giving.

Grateful for the avenues opened by her graduate education, she feels strongly about supporting UT MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Karin is endowing a student impact award through a charitable gift annuity (CGA) to provide opportunities for students to acquire research and teaching skills in immunology and microbiology. She also made an estate commitment that will further support the award.

“The timing was right,” Karin said.

By taking advantage of a special giving opportunity, she was able to make a one-time qualified charitable distribution directly from an IRA to fund a charitable gift annuity.

“It was a win-win for me. I created my CGA, which provides me with an income for life, and I was able to solidify my legacy commitment to the graduate school,” she said. “I had a dream of being a laboratory scientist. Now I have the chance to help other students have that same opportunity. It feels good to know I’m making an impact and that somebody will benefit from the gift I am able to give.”