Paul Edwin Kolenbrander

(1942-2017)

Paul’s career as a microbiologist at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda MD led to interaction with researchers from all over the world as he mentored postdocs (from the United States, Israel, India, Sri Lanka, France, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom) in his lab and presented papers at international conferences. His innovative research examined communities of bacteria in the mouth and discovered how they interacted. For example, which species attached to teeth first after visiting the dentist, which followed, and what did the bacteria produce and exchange to encourage this progression.
Paul moved to Maury Island WA in the Fall of 2009 and was known for his joyous greeting of “Good Morning”. Gardening was his passion in retirement, as well as reading, hiking and backpacking, photography, travelling, playing games and cards, and just hanging out with family and friends.