EVMS basic science conference room named for Gary D. Hodgen

Former EVMS Rector Dr. Charles Fletcher, left, speaks with Dr. Frank Castora, Associate Professor of Physiological Sciences.

NORFOLK—EVMS formally named its main science conference venue in memory of Gary D. Hodgen, Ph.D., a pioneering scientist whose research helped lead to the first birth in the nation of a child conceived by in vitro fertilization.

Hodgen, who came to EVMS in 1984, brought in over $200 million in grants, patents and other awards. He conducted research that kept the EVMS Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at the forefront of reproductive technology.

Howard Jones, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology and co-founder of the Jones Institute, said that key to Hodgen’s astonishing productivity was his relentless drive to get things done, without any delays.

Jones recalled that Hodgen, when he was still at the National Institutes of Health, launched an ambitious experiment based “on a telephone call that lasted one minute.”

“Gary,” said Jones, “was among a handful of people who are decisive doers.”

Dr. Howard Jones, co-founder of the Jones Institute, offers his memories of working with Dr. Gary Hodgen. Seated to his left are Sabine Andrews, wife of the late Dr. Mason Andrews, and Dr. Andy Anderson, a retired physician and former colleague of Dr. Hodgen.

Jones made the statement during a formal dedication of the Hodgen Basic Science Conference Room attended by colleagues, former students, friends and by his two daughters and his wife, Linda.

Dean Gerald J. Pepe, Ph.D., who worked under Hodgen at the NIH, also recounted Hodgen’s drive to get things done.

Hodgen often cautioned Pepe and other researchers against getting bogged down in “a bunch of words” when an idea for an experiment came up. “Just do it,” he would always say.

Pepe recalled that he once had an idea for an experiment, but didn’t have the funds. Hodgen sat him down and rapidly hammered out ideas for grants for funding.

“It’s amazing what this man did in 15 minutes,” Pepe said. “If you needed five minutes with Gary, you were only going to get five minutes, but you would really get a quality five minutes.”

Dr. Robert Williams, left, now Associate Dean for Research Subjects Protections and a former fellow in Hodgen’s lab, and Judy Williams speak with Dr. Michael Solhaug, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

A series of groundbreaking firsts in reproductive science punctuated Hodgen’s 11-year tenure at EVMS. Thanks to Hodgen’s research, the EVMS Jones Institute was the first to use a technique that could confirm the genetic health of embryos before implantation. He established that women could bear children using donated eggs. He pioneered at technique that allowed scientists to inject an individual sperm cell inside an egg, a technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hodgen managed to transfer his enthusiasm and love to discovery to students and fellows who flocked to him.

“He was a joy to work with,” said Pepe.

Robert F. Williams, Ph.D., M.B.A., director of the EVMS Office of Technology Transfer, started working under Hodgen back in 1977, when Hodgen was first at the NIH. Williams recalls another value that Hodgen conveyed to every student, something many other scientists ignored.

Dean Gerald Pepe, left, a longtime colleague of Hodgen, talks about Hodgen with Dr. Ali Khraibi, Professor of Physiological Sciences, center, and Dr. Russell Prewitt, Interim Chairman of Physiological Sciences.

“He always told us that family was first,” Williams recalled. Hodgen would take students and their wives and children to his home. Turning to Linda Hodgen, Williams said. “Linda, you mentored us on how to be a family.”

Hodgen passed away Feb. 19, 2005. He was 61 years old.

For more information, contact:

Doug Gardner, Director of News and Publications
EVMS Office of Institutional Advancement
(757) 446-6070 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Sunday, 10 May 2009 12:44

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