Janet (Jan) Westpheling, a longtime educator in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ genetics division, died on Feb. 16 following a prolonged illness.
“Jan was a cherished friend and an exceptional member of the UGA academic staff,” remarked President Jere W. Morehead. “She was a committed mentor to countless students, a responsible and devoted University leader, and a considerate and involved scholar.”
Westpheling became part of UGA’s genetics division as an assistant professor in 1990. She advanced through the ranks and achieved promotion to professor with tenure in 2003. Additionally, she held an adjunct professorship within the microbiology department.
Throughout her tenure at the University of Georgia, Westpheling led a globally acknowledged research initiative focusing on the regulation of antibiotic production and crafting groundbreaking genetic techniques to generate biofuels and bioproducts in significant yet underexplored microorganisms. She educated and guided numerous undergraduates, 13 graduates, and 14 postdoctoral researchers while publishing 72 peer-reviewed articles.
In her array of accolades and contributions, Westpheling received a Creative Research Medal (2000) and an Award (2015) from the University of Georgia. She was designated a Senior Foundation Fellow (1995-2001) and actively participated in the recruitment and mentorship of undergraduate Foundation Fellows from 1992 to 2024. Moreover, she was a Lilly Teaching Fellow and a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar, and she sat on the inaugural Academic Advisory Board for the Division of Student Affairs.
Her contributions to the university extended beyond teaching. She was part of the executive committee for the University Council and served on the board of directors of the Georgia Athletic Association. Additionally, she represented UGA on the USG Faculty Council and delivered remarks at USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue’s investiture ceremony.
Furthermore, Westpheling was highly engaged with the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) for over 30 years. She held roles as treasurer and board member from 2011 to 2017, served as SIMB president from 2018 to 2021, and was honored with the Charles Porter Award for her contributions in 2022.
Westpheling completed her education at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, subsequently earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in microbiology from Purdue University, followed by a Ph.D. at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, England.
Prior to her appointment to the research faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Westpheling completed postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Harvard University.
She is survived by her spouse, David Garfinkel, who is a professor in UGA’s biochemistry and molecular biology department.
A commemoration of Westpheling’s life will be held at Bernstein Funeral Home on March 8 beginning at 1:30 p.m.
In place of flowers, donations may be made to the Janet Westpheling Memorial Fund in the Jere W. Morehead Honors College, which will assist in supporting the Foundation Fellowship and college, preserving her legacy of commitment to students.
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