Here’s a piece of KU-related news that we’ll present on its own, because it’s quite sad.

A Northeastern State University professor found dead in Tahlequah, Okla., at the end of May was just four years removed from earning her doctorate from KU.

Tiffany Maher, 38, was an assistant professor of chemistry at NSU, and authorities say she was the victim of a homicide. She and four cats were found dead in her home after a fire that police say was arson. No arrests had been made in the case as of Friday.

Maher studied at KU for five years before earning her Ph.D. in chemistry in 2009, and the Tulsa World extensively quoted her dissertation supervisor, associate professor Mikhail Barybin, in a story on the aftermath:

“She was an extremely gifted teacher,”
he said. “I’d say she was probably a
rare example of a graduate student who
had equally impressive contributions
in research, teaching and service to
the community here in Lawrence.

“She was very well-liked by the
departmental faculty, her peers,
graduate and undergraduate students –
and she taught many of them. She has
been a great mentor to the
undergraduate students.”

The KU chemistry department will have a memorial service for Maher this weekend in Wescoe Hall, according to this note on its website.

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