Ruthann Masaracchia: Striving for more recognition of women's scholarship

Life has evolved quite differently than Ruthann Masaracchia, director of women's studies and professor of biological sciences, expected it would when she was a high school student.

"The first twist of fate was getting a C in typing, which was a problem since I had always assumed I would be a secretary after high school," Masaracchia says. "Clearly lacking those skills, I entered Park University (located in Parkville, Mo.) as a French and political science major."

But it was the 1960s, and the political views Masaracchia had — particularly concerning women's roles in society — were "far too liberal for Park professors," she says. "I became a chemistry major by default."

Masaracchia came to UNT in the late 1970s when female faculty on tenure track were rare.

"I think I was the first woman in the sciences on tenure track at UNT," she says. "It was quite a shock to some of the male faculty. Some were unaccustomed to having a woman colleague."

During her career, Masaracchia has conducted extensive research on regulation of cell shape in normal human blood cells and in asthma, allergic reactions and strokes. She has received grants from the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, among others. She says one of the things she has enjoyed most in her life is the thrill of discovery in the laboratory.

"Knowing that a new piece to life's secrets has been revealed and I was the first to have that insight is truly awesome. Most work in science is collaboration of mentor and student, and the opportunity to share the thrill of discovery with some extremely talented students has made the research process even more rewarding," she says.

Since 2000, Masaracchia has directed the women's studies program. She meshes her academic background in the sciences with a dedication to women's issues through her women's studies course, Biological Principles of Women's Health. She spent two years creating the design and curriculum for the course, which fulfills UNT's wellness core requirement.

"Women's studies has provided the opportunity to work toward solutions for several of the problems that made my life as a political scientist at Park difficult," she says. "Recognition of women's scholarship; acceptance of women as equals in the classroom, laboratory and faculty; and development of a critical mass of women scholars that support one another academically and personally have been long-term goals in my professional life."

Masaracchia and her husband, Manus Donahue, professor of biological sciences and assistant dean of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, are both retiring from UNT in August and are heading to Monterey, Calif., where Masaracchia says she hopes to spend more time pursuing some of her favorite activities — sailing, traveling and watching soccer. She had the opportunity to combine two of those interests in 1998 when she and her family attended the World Cup Finals in France.

"The family had saved for four years for this adventure and there was the subtle fear that the event wouldn't live up to our high expectations," she says. "But that was so wrong! We walked down the Champs-Élysées, and everywhere fans were draped in their flags and sporting painted faces and official shirts. The sense of world community — everyone nationalistic, but sharing in the excitement — was exhilarating."

BY MICHELLE GARCIA paiswri1@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves UNT College of Engineering
• UNT VP for administrative affairs to retire
• Faculty, staff recognized at Honors Day celebration
• UNT study says gaps in baseball players' salaries may lead to losing seasons
• Spring commencement ceremonies May 11
• UNT professor on a 3-D mission
• Summer National Youth Sports Program at UNT
• UNT entrepreneurship student wins prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship
• UNT leads Texas in number of students winning Goldwater Scholarships

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