Campus News
In memoriam: Professor emeritus Barry Bowman
Barry truly embodied the very best of UC Santa Cruz. He was a pioneering scientist, dedicated teacher, and generous mentor whose impact will be felt for generations. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of discovery, service, and community.
Dear Campus Community,
It is with sadness that I share the news that Barry J. Bowman, professor emeritus of molecular, cell, and developmental biology and a devoted supporter of UC Santa Cruz, passed away May 9 at his home in Santa Cruz. Barry truly embodied the very best of UC Santa Cruz. He was a pioneering scientist, dedicated teacher, and generous mentor whose impact will be felt for generations. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of discovery, service, and community.
Bowman joined our campus in 1979 and worked in Sinsheimer Laboratories alongside his wife, Emma Jean “Rusty” Bowman. Together, they conducted important fundamental research that advanced our understanding of the vacuole, which is essentially a cell’s storage bubble, and its role in cells. Their work helped to shed new light on our ability to hear, how bones grow, and the function of kidneys, among other critical biological activities.
Barry was also well known for his deep support of expanding educational access and training the next generation of scientists. For 25 years, he led a campus program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health that trained students historically excluded from academia. Under his leadership, more than 130 people in the program went on to earn a Ph.D., an incredible legacy that no doubt will impact generations.
Emma Jean retired in 2000 and worked in the lab as a volunteer until 2012. Barry retired in 2016, and both of them remained deeply engaged with the campus community. Barry served as president of both the Emeriti Association and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Looking to provide support to early career researchers, the Bowmans shortly after they retired established the Barry and Emma Jean Bowman Fund for Research in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, which provides support for researchers during gaps between grants. They also established another fund to support work in ecology and evolutionary biology.
Barry was honored in 2025 with the Fiat Lux award, which recognizes alumni, emeriti faculty and friends of UC Santa Cruz who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and distinguished service in support of the university’s programs and goals.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to Rusty, and to Barry’s extended family, friends and colleagues.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor