Janet (Jan) Westpheling, longtime professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ genetics department, passed away Feb. 16 after an extended illness.
“Jan was a dear friend and an extraordinary member of the UGA faculty,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “She was a devoted mentor to many students, a responsible and dedicated University leader, and a thoughtful and engaged scholar.”
In 1990, Westpheling joined UGA’s genetics department as an assistant professor. She rose through the ranks and was promoted to professor with tenure in 2003. She also held an adjunct professor position in the microbiology department.
During her time at University of Georgia, Westpheling directed an internationally recognized research program studying the regulation of antibiotic synthesis and developing innovative genetic methods to produce biofuels and bioproducts in important but understudied microorganisms. She trained and mentored numerous undergraduates, 13 graduate students and 14 postdoctoral fellows and published 72 peer-reviewed articles.
Among her honors and service, Westpheling was awarded a Creative Research Medal (2000) and Award (2015) from the University of Georgia. She was named a Senior Foundation Fellow (1995-2001) and helped recruit and advise undergraduate Foundation Fellows from 1992 to 2024. She also served as a Lilly Teaching Fellow and a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar and was on the Division of Student Affairs’ inaugural Academic Advisory Board.
Her service to the university continued beyond the classroom. She served on the executive committee of the University Council and on the board of directors of the Georgia Athletic Association. She was also UGA’s representative on the USG Faculty Council and spoke at USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue’s investiture ceremony.
Additionally, Westpheling was very active in the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) for more than 30 years. She served as treasurer and as a member of the board of directors from 2011 to 2017. She also served as SIMB president from 2018 to 2021 and received the organization’s Charles Porter Award for service in 2022.
Westpheling graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in microbiology from Purdue University and a Ph.D. at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, England.
Westpheling served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Harvard University prior to joining the research faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Westpheling is survived by her husband, David Garfinkel, a professor in UGA’s biochemistry and molecular biology department.
A celebration of Westpheling’s life will take place at Bernstein Funeral Home on March 8 beginning at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Janet Westpheling Memorial Fund in the Jere W. Morehead Honors College, which will provide support for the Foundation Fellowship and college, ensuring that her legacy of dedication to students continues.
