Ellen Roter Dirksen, 85, who researched the cell biology of cilia and their role in intercellular communication, died Jan, 5, 2013, in Sherman Oaks.
Born in Lagow, Poland, she emigrated with her family to Panama and eventually Chicago.
After receiving her master's degree in physiology and biophysics from University of Illinois–Urbana, she went on to receive a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of California Berkeley in 1961.
Dirksen was recruited to the UCLA faculty in 1975, becoming a full professor in 1982. She retired in 1999.
She received professional honors and published 50 research papers in her field of molecular cellular biology. She was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1983. She had professional colleagues across the globe, many of whom became lifelong friends. An active member of the American Society for Cell Biology, she was particularly dedicated to advancing the role of women in sciences.
Dirksen loved the arts and culture and traveled widely, colleagues said. She was dedicated to the study of Jewish culture and history and established a research fund at UCLA. Memorials may be made to the Sara and Chaskel Roter Research Fund, UCLA Center for Jewish Studies. Checks should be made payable to UCLA Foundation c/o Sarah Murphy, UCLA College Development, 1309 Murphy Hall, Box 951413, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
A memorial service will be held on Feb. 15 from 3:30-4:30 pm at the UCLA Faculty Club. A reception follows.
