Biophysical Society Bulletin | February 2026

In Memoriam

Ralph G. Yount

Ralph G. Yount (1932–2025 ) passed away in June at the age of 93. Ralph had a remarkable 44-year career at Washington State University (WSU), retiring in 2004, and served on BPS Council and as BPS President for 1994–1995. He received his under graduate degree in chemistry from Wa bash College in Crawfordsville, IN and went on to obtain his PhD in biochem istry/chemistry at Iowa State University,

15 years and was a past chairman of the Muscle Proteins Gordon Conference. In 1986 he received a MERIT award from the NIH for long-term funding of his research on muscle. He also was president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in 1997–1998 and was on the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. At WSU, Ralph was the first recipient of the Eminent Faculty Award, which is the university’s highest award for faculty ex cellence over an extended period. At the time, WSU President V. Lane Rawlins said, “Ralph Yount is what a faculty member should be. He questions every decision, is a tireless and brilliant researcher, loves to teach, and is a superb colleague.” In 2003, Ralph was one of the first three faculty members promoted to the newly established rank of Regents Professor. He was also the first Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Profes sor of Biochemistry and Chemistry. In 2010, he was presented with the President’s Distinguished Lifetime Service Award, followed by an honorary doctorate in 2020 in recognition of his lifetime of achievement. Specific to chemistry, Ralph served as department chair from 1998 to 2003. On a personal note, I will always be thankful to Ralph for making it possible for me to move from my faculty position at WSU Tri-Cities to the Pullman campus in 2002. As Ralph was fond of saying, successful faculty have to have a “fire in their belly.” Ralph embodied that passion throughout his life and career. He will be very much missed. — Kirk Peterson , Washington State University

Ralph G. Yount

where he worked under D. E. Metzler . He then did postdoctoral work with D. E. Koshland, Jr. at Brookhaven National Laboratory before starting his faculty career at WSU with joint appoint ments in both chemistry and agricultural chemistry (which later became the Institute of Biological Chemistry). Ralph’s research focused on the molecular mechanism of muscle contraction and of motility in biological systems via synthesis and utilization of small molecules of biological interest (e.g., ATP analogs) as they applied to muscle research. In particular, his work advanced medical understanding of diseases such as muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myas thenia gravis. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded his research continuously for 43 years, which was one of the longest continually funded programs at the NIH. In addition to his service with the Biophysical Society, Ralph was a leader in many scientific organizations. He served as vice president and was chairman of the postdoctoral fellow ship committee for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for

Join the BPS PUI Network Are you looking to connect with other PUI faculties or interested in obtaining academic positions at Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUIs)? Join the BPS PUI Network. The network creates opportunities for current PUI faculty to network and share experiences with one another. Members of the Network exchange tips and ideas such as teaching strategies, latest trends in education technology, online teaching, and more. Graduate students and postdocs interested in obtaining academic positions at PUIs are encouraged to join. Questions can be directed to Ethan Rogers-Yosebashvili at eyosebashvili@biophysics.org. www.biophysics.org/PUI-Network

February 2026

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