Graduate School News and Events
In Memoriam
Annie Marie Le, July 3, 1985 - September 8, 2009
The Graduate School, the School of Medicine, and the entire Yale Community are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Annie Le, 24, on September 8.
Annie was born in San Jose, California, and spent most of her childhood in Placerville, California. She graduated from Union Mine High School at the top of her class of 362 in 2003. She matriculated at the University of Rochester, in New York, where she majored in bioscience and met her fiancé, Jonathan Widawsky. Jonathan is now a graduate student in physics at Columbia University.
Annie came to Yale University as a graduate pharmacology student in 2007 and would have earned her doctorate in 2013. She joined Anton Bennett’s laboratory, which focuses on a specific family of enzymes that are involved in controlling important biological functions, with emphasis on the role that these enzymes play in human disease. Annie studied how certain types of fatty acids regulate an enzyme believed to be involved in controlling cellular metabolism and the role this enzyme play in the development of metabolic disease. She discovered that certain metabolic stresses could influence the activity of an enzyme believed to be involved in controlling mitochondrial function in muscle cells. She had several additional research projects in progress, in collaboration with other members of the Bennett lab.
Members of Professor Bennett’s lab wrote in tribute to her, “We will always remember Annie for her bright and vibrant smile, warm personality, and love of people. Annie was a caring individual who would selflessly put the needs of others before her own—she would never say ‘I can’t,’ but always, ‘How can I help?’ Although Annie was small in size, she had a large heart and a personality that filled the room. No challenge ever seemed too large for her to overcome. Annie was a diligent and motivated student who was truly excited about her future. Annie, you are a bright and shining star. We will miss you and we will remember you always.”
In the words of her family, “Annie was loved by everyone who knew her and special to all those who came in contact with her. She was a kind-hearted human being, who was devoted to her family and friends, always sacrificing her time to help others. Her laughter was infectious and her goodness was ingenuous. … She was a considerate daughter, a thoughtful sister, a generous niece, a spirited cousin, a loving granddaughter, and a gracious friend. We will always remember her beautiful smile, her fun-loving spirit, and the joy that she brought to us all. Annie Marie Le will be profoundly missed.”
Annie Marie Le is survived by her fiancé Jonathan Widawsky; her father and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hoang Le; her mother, Mrs. Vivian Van Le; her brother, Chris Tri Le; her half-siblings, Martin Le and Emmie Le; her guardian parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Linh Nguyen and their three children, Dan, Ryan, and Sean Khiem; her grandmother, Mrs. Thang Thi Vu, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A University memorial service will be held on Monday, October 12 at 5:00 pm in Battell Chapel. The University is establishing a scholarship in Annie’s memory. Donations may be directed to the Annie Le Scholarship Fund, Yale Office of Development, P.O. Box 2038, New Haven, CT 06521-2038. Donations may also be made in Annie’s memory to the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, 330 Seventh Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
