College of Arts and Sciences
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Remembering Dr. Kurt Pickett
I contacted Kurt in early July 2010 in regards to my interest in joining his Laboratory as a
Ph.D. student. I sent Kurt a letter of intent that described my research interests and
previous experience, and I was very happy when I received a positive reply from him. In
one of our first conversations, Kurt called my house and we talked for about two hours.
Listening to Kurt was just mesmerizing. He talked about his current research projects,
what he would like me to work on in his Lab and he also described what it was like to
live in Burlington, VT, all of that in such an enjoyable narrative style. I think this
conversation was enough for me to grasp a sense of Kurt's passion for his work and life in
general. After we both began working on the necessary arrangements for my graduate
application to UVM, Kurt would call or write to me on a regular basis.
One particular call I remember very well. Kurt would usually call without previous
notice. Thus, in one occasion my mother answered the phone, and because she already
knew that Kurt had offered me the opportunity to join his Lab, she just began thanking
him in a very agitated fashion… in Spanish! I was obviously embarrassed about the
whole situation − having your mother talking to your future Ph.D. advisor somehow did
not seem right. After this call Kurt wrote to me: "I didn't quite understand what your
mother was saying until after I had a moment to process it (not being a Spanish speaker,
but faking it from my Portuguese). I think she was thanking me for accepting you into
my lab, or something like that. If that is the case, please tell her "De nada" or whatever is
the kindest way to say "you're welcome." Indeed, "de nada" is perhaps the kindest way of
saying “you’re welcome” in Spanish. Language obviously was not a barrier for Kurt to be
charming and polite.
After receiving my letter of offer to join UVM, I began doing the necessary paperwork to
come to the U.S.A. Kurt would always be in contact with me throughout that process.
Once I arrived in Burlington, Kurt and Greg were waiting for me at the airport. They
helped find a taxi, which then followed Kurt to the apartment where I would be living
from now on; Kurt had found the apartment for me in advance which is conveniently
located close to the campus. After arriving at the apartment, Kurt handed me the key and
said that my first assignment as a Ph.D. student was to open the door, or something along
those lines. I chuckled and opened the door.
After joining Kurt’s Lab, we would communicate regularly. Overwhelmed as I initially
was because of moving to a different country, Kurt was always very supportive,
encouraging, and helpful. Diligent as always no matter the circumstances, Kurt helped
me with some bureaucratic issues that needed to be solved with the Graduate College.
We used to have Lab meetings every week but it progressively became more difficult for
these to take place. Even when he was in the hospital, Kurt would call whenever possible
to ask how we were doing. I was always very hopeful that he would recover, as Kurt
himself was, too. It is very sad that we will not be able to hear his voice again. My lab
mates, Fernando and Yainna, and I miss him very much.
Federico Lopez Osorio
Graduate Student