Dr. Kurt Milton Pickett, an assistant professor of biology, died on Feb. 11 after a struggle with cancer, an e-mail from Gary Derr, vice president for executive operations, stated. Dr. Pickett joined the biology department in 2007 after working as a Theodore Roosevelt Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History, according to the e-mail. Dr. Pickett was an insect taxonomist, focused on the evolution of social behavior in wasps. “Dr. Pickett was a natural orator and a brilliant teacher who cared deeply for his students,” according to the e-mail. “He was an inspiration to his colleagues, students and friends,” A memorial service will be held in his honor at 2 p.m on March 26 at the Ira Allen Chapel.
