Dr. Roberta White-Miller, a former faculty member in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, is remembered as a trailblazer in her field. The late professor loved science and education, and as a devoted teacher, she shared her expertise with many students.
Her legacy will live on because of an estate gift of more than $738,000 to support fellowships for graduate students at UNMC and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln conducting research focused on microbiology. The gift, which included a bequest from a revocable trust and proceeds from a life insurance policy, was made through the University of Nebraska Foundation.
“Roberta loved science, which led to a successful career as the first virologist in Nebraska at the University of Nebraska Medical Center,” said Joellen Zuk, a longtime close family friend. “As a UNMC professor, she shared her knowledge with many students. A true trailblazer, she paved the way in virology for many women to follow.”
Dr. White-Miller died in 2022 at the age of 95. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Nebraska before receiving her doctorate in microbiology from the University of California at Berkeley.
She and her late husband, Dr. Norman Miller, were faculty members of the department of medical microbiology and then in the merged departments of pathology and microbiology. Both were active in graduate student education, medical technology student education and teaching pathology residents.
Her gift created the O. Veren and Elsa M. White Microbiology Fellowship Fund. The fund was named to commemorate the lives of Dr. White-Miller’s parents.
Michael Herman, director and chair of UNL’s School of Biological Sciences, said the gift will support new opportunities for Husker graduate students.
“Graduate students and graduate education are essential to the research mission of UNL,” Herman said. “Progress simply isn’t made without the contributions of graduate student researchers. I am grateful that the O. Veren and Elsa M. White Microbiology Fellowship will help further microbiology research, a strength at UNL, leading to important discoveries.”
Loren Giesler, professor of plant pathology and leader of UNL’s Department of Plant Pathology, is excited about the potential impacts of the gift.
“Integrated microbiology research is vital for advancing agricultural biosecurity, human and animal health and scientific innovation,” Giesler said. “By bridging disciplines, it strengthens our ability to combat microbial threats and aligns with the overall mission of UNL and UNMC to support impactful microbiological research and education.”
Dr. Joseph D. Khoury, Stokes-Shackleford Professor and chair of UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, praised Dr. White-Miller as a tireless pioneer when the virology field was just taking shape.
“Her excitement for each new discovery was infectious, her dedication to teaching unwavering and her ability to spark curiosity in generations of young scientists was transformative,” Khoury said. “We are glad to see her legacy and inspiration enduring in perpetuity through her generous gift, which will benefit generations of clinical microbiology fellows who seek training at UNMC.”
The gift supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The campaign is a historic effort to engage 150,000 unique benefactors to give $3 billion to support University of Nebraska students, faculty, academic and clinical programs and research to address the needs of the state.
