Andre Hudson, Ph.D., GSNB’06, Plant Biology
In this continuing series, the bi-annual magazine of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, profiles recent graduates who have launched successful careers and are making an impact on society. The editors posed a series of questions about how their Rutgers experience influenced their lives. Here is one such profile that appears in the Fall 2017 issue.
André Hudson, Ph.D. GSNB’06, Plant Biology
An associate professor with Rochester Institute of Technology, André Hudson earned his Ph.D. under the supervision of Thomas Leustek, professor in the Department of Plant Biology and associate dean of academic administration. Hudson, who joined RIT in 2008, is head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, running his own research lab and teaching courses in cellular and molecular biology, plant biochemistry and pathology, and bio-separations.
Q: How have your experiences and personal contacts from your days at Rutgers contributed to your success in your career?
A: My time was very rewarding and had an impact on my career because at Rutgers I learned how to be a scientist and teacher through interactions with faculty and my fellow cohorts. And I learned from Dr. Leustek to persevere, and that working hard will eventually pay off.
Q: Does a pivotal, “ah-ha” moment come to mind when you look back on your time at Rutgers, as far as getting to where you are now?
A: Meeting and interacting with Dr. Charles Gilvarg, a retired professor at Princeton University. Dr. Gilvarg and Dr. Leustek were very instrumental in shaping my philosophy as a teacher/scholar. In addition, the day I discovered the missing link for the lysine biosynthesis pathwayin plants was a very special day for Dr. Gilvarg, Dr. Leustek, and myself.
Q: What memories of college do you hold dear?
A: The experience that stands out to me the most was our annual plant biology/pathology social event called “RootStock.” It was fun interacting with the entire plant biology and pathology faculty, staff, and student body, in addition to families.
Q: What is your favorite motivational quote?
A: “I do not want education, I want inspiration. If I was educated, I would have been a fool.” – Bob Marley
Q: What is your next step?
A: I am interested in becoming a dean and then president of a college or university.
