Roger Melvold, Ph.D., chair and Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Grand Forks, retired Dec. 31.

A native of Henning, MN, Melvold earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Minnesota State University-Moorhead in 1968 and the doctoral degree in biology and genetics from the University of Kansas in 1973.  He taught and conducted research at Harvard Medical School and Northwestern University before joining the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 1997.

Last May, he was named Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, UND’s highest honor for faculty members.  His talents as a teacher have generated numerous honors and praise from colleagues and students.  He is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of mouse genetics
and immunology.