Diane was a world-renowned expert in alphaviruses, and it was truly an honor to have had the opportunity to work with her on understanding how alphaviruses modulate stress granule assembly. Despite her legendary status in the field, she was incredibly down-to-earth—an absolute encyclopedia when it came to alphavirus research.

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When I was preparing my K99 application, Diane graciously agreed to be my co-mentor. She played a pivotal role in shaping my virology expertise and gave me the confidence to fully step into the field. She sat with me and helped me shape my research presentations and chalk talk for all four of my faculty interviews. I still remember her saying, “You’re already a virologist—speak with confidence when presenting your work to virologists.”

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What made Diane special wasn’t just her deep scientific knowledge, but also her infectious enthusiasm. She got excited about every single experiment, no matter how small. She always complimented my presentations, generously shared her knowledge, and—most importantly—she listened as if she was learning from me. That kind of humility is rare and deeply inspiring.

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Her dedication was unmatched. I still remember the time she returned my manuscript draft with detailed feedback in just two days—an incredible gesture of support and commitment.

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I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing after I had left Hopkins. The scientific world lost a giant, and I lost a mentor I deeply admired. But I carry with me our conversations, her encouragement, and everything she taught me. Diane’s legacy lives on in how I approach science—with curiosity, passion, and humility.

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