Department says farewell to Brodsky

The Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences bade a fond farewell to colleague and friend Frances Brodsky on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. At a royal-tea-party-themed send-off, Frances was toasted and feted with fond wishes and thanks for 28 years of dedicated service to UCSF.

Frances earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemical sciences at Harvard (summa cum laude) and a doctorate in genetics at Oxford, followed by postdoctoral work at Harvard and Stanford. She joined UCSF in 1987.

Kathy Giacomini, professor and CERSI co-director, proposed an elegant champagne toast and presented Frances with a beautiful, hand-etched crystal block featuring the San Francisco skyline and the UCSF seal. More heartfelt remarks followed, as well as a video presentation featuring many of Frances’ colleagues and snapshots of memorable occasions over the course of her distinguished career at UCSF.

Frances, dubbed “The Clathrin Queen,” is now off to London to continue her work. She was delighted with the British party theme, and thanked all who created the event. She said, “… I so enjoyed the attention to detail, the Union Jacks, the English telephone booth and, of course, the clathrin cake. It was wonderful to be able to say goodbye to all my colleagues at UCSF and to be able to thank everyone properly.”

Department Chair Tejal Desai with the guest of honor.

Yvette Schollmeier’s homemade “clathrin cake.”

Frank Szoka presents a Giants cap to Frances.

Frank Szoka and Frances Brodsky.

Frances shows off her parting gift.

Kathy Giacomini proposes a toast.