Bernice Noble, PhD
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1940, Bernice Noble graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1962. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Brandeis University in 1964 and a doctorate in microbiology from the University at Buffalo in 1975. Two years later, she joined the UB faculty as a professor of microbiology and immunology.
On top of all of her teaching and research, Noble also dedicated much of her time to advancing women’s careers at UB.
Working to increase the number of female students and tenure-track faculty in the sciences, Noble served as co-chair of the President's Task Force on the Status of Women at UB from 1996 to 1997. The task force’s final report — authored by Noble and her co-chair, John M. Staley, PhD — led directly to increased salary parity, a stronger affirmative action office and enhanced child-care facilities at UB.
Her other accomplishments and honors include:
- chairing UB’s annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day from 1996-2000
- serving as a Gender Institute scholar-in-residence for 1999-2000
- participating in the UB Health Sciences Center Chapter of United University Professions (UUP) from 1992-2003
- serving on the executive committee for the UB Institute for Research and Education on Women and Gender
- working on the UUP’s statewide Women’s Rights and Concerns committee
- leading as vice president for academics of the UUP from 2001-2003
- serving as delegate to the UUP State Assembly
In addition, Noble mentored female faculty members in the sciences.