Last month the Autophagy community assembled virtually to share their latest discoveries and insights, with enthusiasm and inspiration. But missing from their ranks was a key leader, mentor and friend-- Beth Levine-- who tragically passed away from metastatic breast cancer on June 15, 2020.
Her absence was felt by the entire community, as a driver of not only scientific advances, but also personal connections. Beth was a champion of community, and her community rallied around her memory on the first day of the meeting with a very special tribute celebrating Beth's life.
Here we'd like to share this tribute, and the thoughts from her loved ones and colleagues that so beautifully reflect Beth's importance to this field, and those within it. If you had a connection to Beth please share this and let us know how she impacted your life and career.
During the tribute, meeting attendees shared their thoughts and memories in the group chat, reflecting on her scientific prowess, but also her central role in the autophagy community as a leader, mentor, and friend. Here are their comments:
"Even as she was suffering from her disease, her thoughts were with her own people (in her lab), and the legacy of our field,... that stands as testimony to the quality of Beth as a scientist and as a person."
-Herbert (Skip) W. Virgin
Beth Levine in a nutshell:
"Prominent woman scientist leader in the field of autophagy, groundbreaking scientific discoveries, dedicated mentor, master organizer, beloved colleague and friend."
-Ana Maria Cuervo
"I am a former post-doc in Beth Levine´s lab. I would like to highlight her kind support for people in her lab both professionally and personally. As a scientist she always supported and encouraged me to pursue my ideas. As a mother in science I had to deal with particular challenges specially during my last year in her lab and she was always the person to listen and willing to help in any possible way. I am honored to be her mentee, she is really a role model for me and I miss her greatly."
-Silvia Vega Rubinde Celis
*This picture was taken at my farewell party in 2017, featuring the special cake she arranged with a picture I took at the electron microscope for one of my papers.
"By honoring Beth and her legacy,
the autophagy community strengthens its own identity and its own ideals. Doing so reminds everyone of their true mission of both advancing science and developing people. Legacy becomes the driving force to community. And I can assure that that is exactly what Beth would have wanted."
-Milton Packer