(See Shevela et al. 2012, for a review.) To me, this discovery, in addition to its well-known role in carbon fixation, of the unique role of bicarbonate/CO2 on the electron acceptor side of PS II, by Selleck PF2341066 Govindjee and coworkers (including Julian Eaton-Rye, author of this Tribute to Govindjee), is a major discovery, and we owe this

to Govindjee’s ingenuity, persistence, and drive unmatched in the history of photosynthesis research. I marvel at this research and I believe that he will go down in the history of photosynthesis research for this unique finding. John C. Munday, Jr. Professor of Natural Metabolism inhibitor Science and Mathematics Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA Tribute to Dr. Govindjee Graduate study is a special time of life. The opportunity to be immersed in research on a topic of choice, after years of preparatory schooling, is a time of deep intellectual reward. My choice to study photosynthesis was largely because of its biophysical complexity. The research methods enabled “seeing” events at the molecular level and gaining insights that could explain a process basic to all life on earth. Choosing a major professor was a major decision. On reflection about the options in the Photosynthesis Laboratory at the University of Illinois, I concluded that Dr. Govindjee would be a selleck compound wise mentor, a steady hand of guidance, and an

encourager. He had already proven his skill at research and his deep knowledge of the field of photosynthesis. Dr. Govindjee provided a list of problems where he believed that research would bear fruit. This suited my temperament and level at the time. After some investigation I developed a proposal, “owning” the content as my own; but later, looking back, I realized that he had foreseen my proposal exactly as one from his original list. Dr. Govindjee proved to be an exceptionally wise mentor. He was full of patience, manifested fully

a teaching spirit, and with painstaking care instilled a sense of excellence and quality in research. He demonstrated in his own research what he strove to teach. He was ever-present in the laboratory. Always with a cheerful smile, and obviously enjoying research, he made the laboratory a place where students, research associates, and visiting faculty wanted to be. He organized seminars in the lab and at his home. His wife Rajni had the gift of hospitality and we enjoyed her refreshments. Dichloromethane dehalogenase (She also made significant contributions of her own in photosynthesis research, and cared for their young family.) Along the way his comments and critique about my research were the stimulus for pushing forward, solving problems, and thinking creatively. I distinctly remember various points he made about how to do quality research. And in a final exam, he defended this student against a visitor’s mistaken claims about unpublished research from abroad, pointing out the core principle that what counts in scientific advance is peer-reviewed publication.