Scott Foster, a long-time student in the Minto lab, unexpectedly passed away on December 28, 2018. Undergraduates like Scott and his contemporary Kevin Gordon were particularly important between 2006-2008 in establishing the Minto group at IUPUI.
Scott initially performed synthetic organic chemistry related to making unusual fatty acid substrates for biochemical experiments in the lab. After a break, in 2017, Scott returned to IUPUI to complete his BS degree. He welcomed a daughter Zion in March 2018 and was making great progress completing required coursework and taking on some challenges like a graduate-level spectroscopy class. His passion for pursuing graduate school in chemistry was clear from his return and inspired his lab mates. While mentoring freshman Pedro Sanchez in 2017-18, he explored an improved model of diverged fatty acid desaturases through a combination of computational modeling and site-directed mutagenesis. While waiting patiently for word of his graduate school applications, the accident of Christmas week came as a shock to everyone who knew him, and saw his drive and potential.
The loss of Scott’s joyful presence, openness, and enthusiasm for teaching and sharing his work have weighed on lab members and other friends in the department over the past months, but the positive memories of him will impact each of us for much longer.
By: Robert Minto