Dr. Joseph Bilotta
1955-2006

            Dr. Joe Bilotta, Professor of Psychology, died suddenly and unexpectedly on January 2, 2006 after exercising at the Preston Center. He is survived by his parents, two grandmothers, a sister, a niece and nephew, and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Lemerise.

            A native of Niagra Falls, NY, Joe was born October 21, 1955. His passion for learning took him on a journey from an Associate Degree in Mathematics in 1975 from Niagra County Community College to a Ph.D. in experimental psychology conferred by the City University of New York in 1987. There were stops along the way for a B.A. in psychology followed by three master’s degrees in psychology. After completing four years of post-doctoral training in visual neuroscience at Vanderbilt University, Joe began his career at Western as an assistant professor in 1991.

            During his tenure at Western, Joe emerged as a leading scholar in the field of visual neuroscience. His research explored the anatomy and physiology of vision using zebrafish as a model, the effects of toxins on neurodevelopment, and the utility of the zebrafish as a model for studying fetal alcohol syndrome. Joe received the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Award for Excellence in Research in 1996 and 2002, and the University Award for Excellence in Research in 2002.  Joe was also an excellent teacher, and received the CEBS and   University Awards for Excellence in Teaching in 1993, and the CEBS Award again in 2000.

            One of Joe’s most recent graduate students, Eric Vukmanic, perhaps best summarized Joe’s influence on his students, colleagues, and friends. “To me, Joe wasn’t just a brilliant scientist who was well-published and respected in the field of visual neuroscience. Joe exemplified the true definitions of teacher, mentor, and friend. Joe took me under his wing and gave me the chance of a lifetime, a chance to explore my potential to learn, to grow, and to master. He possessed an uncanny ability to capture my curiosity, to motivate me to think for myself, to investigate the world in all its forms of endless beauty, and probably most importantly, to encourage others to do the same. I often think of Joe as my personal Prometheus, a hero who handed me a torch lit from the fire of the gods. Joe’s legacy will never fade, but instead will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those who were privileged enough to have known him as a teacher, mentor, and friend.”

            Joe believed in the transforming power of education, both from his own experience and the transformation he witnessed in his students. To help future students experience the transforming power of education, a scholarship fund in Joe’s name has been established to continue that legacy. Contributions may be made to:

Joseph Bilotta Scholarship Fund,
College Heights Foundation,
1906 College Heights Blvd., No. 41016,
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1016

or to:

The Department of Psychology,
1906 College Heights Blvd., No. 21030,
Bowling Green, KY 42101