UNMC faculty member leaves gift to support microbiology research

A $738,000 estate gift from the late Roberta White-Miller, Ph.D., will fund fellowships at UNMC, UNL

Roberta White-Miller, Ph.D., 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, Norman Miller, Ph.D., 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.

Her generosity was praised by faculty at UNMC and UNL:

• “Dr. White-Miller was a tireless pioneer at a time when the field of virology was still 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. 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.” — Joseph D. Khoury, M.D., Stokes-Shackleford Professor and chair of the UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
• “Graduate students and graduate education are essential to the research mission of UNL. 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.” — Michael Herman, Ph.D., director/chair of the UNL School of Biological Sciences
• “Integrated microbiology research is vital for advancing agricultural biosecurity, human and animal health and scientific innovation. 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.” — Loren Giesler, Ph.D., professor of plant pathology and head of the UNL Department of Plant Pathology

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.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record $388.8 million in new funds were committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, 57,603 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is its current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.