Michael Mike Steven Denison, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, died March 22 from glioblastoma. He was a Woodland resident.
He joined the faculty of The Department of Environmental Toxicology, 1992. Also worked asA researcher with the UC Davis Superfund research program, which was funded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. He retired in 2018.
He is most well-known for his invention of the Chemical Activated LUciferase Gene eXpression (CALUX), a cell-based bioassay used to detect specific environmental contaminants such as dioxin-like chemicals or environmental hormones (endocrine disruptors).
The international standard for environmental contaminants detection in protection of human health is the test, which has been approved by the intergovernmental Organization of Economic Cooperation (IOC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Mike made important discoveries to protect human health against persistent organic pollutants. He was a leader, innovator, scientist and mentor who had a positive impact on the lives of his many colleagues and students, said Bruce Hammock, founder of the Superfund Research Program.
Degrees in 4 subjects
Born in Shirley, Massachusetts in 1965, Denison received an associate of arts degree, a bachelors and masters in biology before he went on to Cornell for his doctorate in environmental toxicology. He did postdoctoral work at the Stanford Universitys Department of Pharmacology.
From 1988 to 1992, he was an assistant professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Biochemistry. He then moved to UC Davis.
His survivors include Grace Bedoian, his wife and administrator with Superfund Research Program; Alma, his mother; and his two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests the following donations:
- Yolo Cares OnlineCall 530-758-5566
- Michael S. Denison Ph.D. 83 Environmental Toxicology Research Fund, Cornell OnlineNote the fund name (and No. Call (or 0018594 in the form) 800-279-3099
The complete obituary is available hereKathy Keatley Garvey is a communications specialist at the Department of Entomology and Nematology.