Mangum Distinguished Speakers & Fellows

The Legacy of Charlotte Preston Mangum

Charlotte Mangum was a distinguished biology professor at William & Mary for over three decades (1964–1998). Her extraordinary commitment to student research and mentorship lives on through three vital academic initiatives established by devoted alumni:

• The Charlotte Preston Mangum Prize: For outstanding senior research.
• The Mangum Lecture Series: An annual series featuring internationally renowned scientists.
• The Mangum Fellows Program: Launched in 2025, this program supports promising students during the pivotal summer between their junior and senior years.

 

2025: Lectures and Fellows

Mangum Lecturer

• Dr. Christopher Lowe: Distinguished Professor of Biology, Stanford University.
  • Expertise: The evolution of development in marine invertebrate animals.

Inaugural Mangum Fellows (Class of '26)

We are proud to celebrate our first cohort of fellows, who embody the spirit of research innovation championed by Professor Mangum:

• Grace Hussey '26: Studies embryonic nervous system development in African clawed frogs (Developmental Biology Lab).
• Rebecca Zheleznyak '26: Contributes to the William & Mary iGEM team.
• Macie McGraw '26
• Jenna Jablonski '26
• Elisabeth Fink '26

 

2024: Mangum Lecture

• Dr. Sönke Johnsen:  Ida Stephens Owens Distinguished Professor of Biology at Duke University.
  • Expertise: Visual ecology and marine biology.
  • Research: Dr. Johnsen’s pioneering work explores how marine organisms interact with light in the open ocean, combining mathematical analyses with behavioral and morphological studies bridging biology, physics, and mathematics to understand vision and camouflage. 

 

2023: Mangum Lecture

• Dr. Sheila Patek: Professor of Biology at Duke University.
  • Expertise: Evolutionary biomechanics.
  • Research: A Guggenheim Fellow, Dr. Patek examines the relationship between evolutionary processes and organismal mechanics, specifically ultra-fast movements in marine creatures like the mantis shrimp. The Patek Lab's work bridges biology, physics, and engineering.