Penn State biology department remembers professor Eric Crandall
The Penn State Eberly College of Science community is mourning the loss of Eric Crandall, assistant research professor of biology, who died on Aug. 17, 2024.
Crandall joined the Department of Biology in 2021, studying the ecological and evolutionary consequences of larval dispersal for marine populations and species. He received his doctorate from Boston University, as well as three fellowship awards: the Palmer-Mcleod Fellowship and Outstanding Teaching Fellowship from the Boston University Marine Program, and the NSF GK-12 Education Fellowship from the Boston University Project STAMP.
Before and during his time at Penn State, Crandall, with a team of researchers, created a database that describes biological samples and associated genetic sequences. This database, GEOME, was also able to connect to other genetic databases, allowing other researchers to be able to use the data.
"I think one of the things that stood out to me about Eric is, academically, that he thought very holistically, and he realized the value of genetic data beyond what he would get out of his own projects,” said Mónica Medina, professor of biology. “He started to work on global initiatives as a junior scientist, to consolidate genetic data and associated metadata that could be used for these similar purposes. He was able to recover a lot of the associated metadata so everyone can use them, and that is very altruistic behavior because it takes a long-term vision. He wasn't working for the immediate results but something that could be impactful once all that information was compiled.”
Inclusivity in the sciences was important to Crandall, so much so that he created the TaMIS — Towards a More Inclusive Science — group in the biology department. The group eventually merged with another in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to become TaMIS Life Sciences. These TaMIS groups were created to discuss topics related to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Crandall worked through them to drive change at Penn State.
“Eric always hoped that the TaMIS meetings would produce actionable items that could be implemented at Penn State to address whatever the group had discussed,” said Claire Thomas, associate professor of biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology, also a TaMIS attendee. “My impression of him was that he was very committed to belonging and inclusion in science.”
Faculty colleagues remembered Crandall as a kind friend, caring mentor, and dedicated researcher.
Medina added: “As a friend, he brought a lot to each friendship. He was sweet, kind, and gentle. He loved music; he always educated us and showed us the path to good music listening. He gave us a lot, and we will miss him. He was very rare as an individual, and we need a lot more people like Eric."
Todd LaJeunesse, professor of biology, said, “Eric and I shared a passion for marine biology, especially on the natural history of marine animals, including their ability to disperse and settle new habitats and regions. He cared deeply about conservation, and his research was directed at how to best preserve and promote the growth of threatened and endangered species. He had a calm, supportive, and fair demeanor and strived for inclusivity in the scientific process.”
Beth McGraw, professor and head of the Department of Biology, said, “Eric was a talented genomicist committed to making science a more welcoming and equitable place. He was embedded in the fabric of our department in innumerable ways. He came to faculty meetings, gave thoughtful advice on our dive program, mentored students and postdocs, created and co-led TaMIS, developed a new course for our marine sciences minors, ran a summer bridge program, and so on. More so than for any of these deeds, however, Eric was valued for his kindness and authenticity. His capacity to make others around him feel good will be the thing most missed by his colleagues.”