Scientists Lead Us
Katherine and Donald Denhart raised their family between a ranch in South San Jose and on their property in Oahu. Their daughter, Sandra Denhart ’73, remembers a childhood of swimming, surfing, snorkeling and caring for the land’s resources. In honor of her parents, Sandra has named UC Santa Barbara as a beneficiary of her estate to support coral reef conservation and Alzheimer’s research on campus.
“I think I learned to swim before I started walking,” said Sandra. “I enjoyed competing in sailing regattas with my family and as a member of the sailing team for UC Santa Barbara. It was through my parents and extended family that I learned the need to care for the ocean and our environment.”
UC Santa Barbara’s environmental and marine ecology research extends far beyond California. Faculty and researchers lead projects around the world, including several to improve the health of coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and other parts of Polynesia. From assessing climate change impacts on coral reef systems to leading the Mo’orea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research program, UC Santa Barbara scientists are conducting leading coral research and preparing the next generation of marine ecologists.
“Coral reefs are some of the most imperiled ecosystems in the world. This gift helps ensure that UC Santa Barbara scientists are leaders in the field of coral reef science and conservation. Healthy oceans help create a healthy planet,” said Deron Burkepile, professor of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology and Mo’orea Coral Reef investigator.
“It is important to protect our ocean resources and this cannot be achieved without dedicated, talented scientists that continuously seek better ways to support our environment,” said Sandra.
In addition to coral reef ecosystems in Polynesia, Sandra is also honoring her parents by dedicating a part of her bequest to neuroscience research.
“My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s, and my father passed away from Parkinson’s,” shared Sandra. “After caring for both parents, and with much of my own career in biotech, I realized that I wanted to dedicate a part of my estate to marine ecology and neuroscience research.”
UC Santa Barbara neuroscience researchers fight the death of brain cells. With stem cell research, image informatics, electrophysiology, computer science and molecular biology, scientists study the process of aging. Highly collaborative researchers are developing new technologies and approaches to investigate brain function, brain disorders, and potential therapies for neurodegenerative disease.
“Even a brief visit to my lab will make the enthusiasm of our team obvious,” said Professor Ken Kosik, Harriman Professor of Neuroscience and co-director of the UC Santa Barbara Brain Initiative. “Fighting the challenge of neurodegenerative diseases, and easing the hardships that those affected endure, is a team of students and fellows who are undaunted by any obstacle. Using advanced molecular and cellular technologies, sophisticated computer algorithms, and very large databases, we cannot help feeling a sense of optimism that our work will have a significant impact.”
Sandra emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships in estate planning. She developed her estate plan in partnership with a trust attorney and a wealth manager who call themselves ‘Team Sandra.’ The result is a personal and heartfelt legacy that will honor her family.
“I really feel very much at peace having come to this decision,” said Sandra. “I feel that my estate gift will truly make a positive difference in these fields.”