Professor Emeritus Robert I. Krasner, a member of the Department of Biology at Providence College (Rhode Island), retired after 50 years of teaching and research. His appointment at Providence College started in 1958, shortly after his service as a young army officer stationed in Japan that, according to Krasner, sparked his love for travel. During his tenure he was responsible for the development of new courses and mentoring students in research, He was recognized on several occasions for excellence in teaching. The Robert I. Krasner Teaching Award was established upon his retirement at the college to recognize outstanding graduating seniors. Krasner is the author of 20th Century Microbe Hunters, scientific papers, and a contributor to other scholarly works. He spent sabbaticals and leaves of absence at numerous domestic and foreign institutions including Fort Detrick Army Biological Laboratories, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and in Israel, France, Brazil, and England. At 69 years of age, he was accepted into the Harvard School of Public Health and earned a Masters of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree; he was the oldest full-time student to have accomplished this.Krasner founded and directed the Summer Science Program for high school students at Providence College from 1975 to 2006. The program hosted approximately 1,000 students during its long span. During this time he also developed and directed several grant-funded microbiology and biotechnology workshops for high school teachers.Over the years, Krasner attended and presented papers at numerous annual meetings of the American Society for Microbiology. Teaching remained his major interest, and when asked by colleagues "what (research) he was working on," his favorite reply was "students." His initiative led to the establishment of the Division for Microbiology Educators. Krasner’s career was further highlighted by the presentation of over 60 papers in the United States and abroad. He continues to lecture occasionally and enjoys gardening, pet therapy, studio art, and playing the harmonica.'
