23 November 2009

Recommendation: Monte Cache Hibbert

DOE Office of Sciences Graduate Fellowship
To Whom It May Concern:

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I recommend Mr. Monte C. Hibbert

as a candidate for a DOE Office of Sciences Graduate Fellowship. I have
known Monte for several years as both an undergraduate microbiology
major and also as a graduate student (M.S. degree program in
microbiology) in the Department of Biological Sciences at Idaho State
University. I served as his graduate advisor and research mentor for his
M.S. degree, which he completed in 1995. Monte was an excellent
student academically and he was always willing to put forth that extra
amount of effort in order to accomplish his goals. He is a very personable
and mature individual who got along very well with his fellow students
and faculty members alike.

Monte has a broad background in biology and he gained a considerable

amount of teaching experience as a teaching assistant (microbiology and
biochemistry laboratory courses) during his graduate program. He always
performed in a very professional manner as a TA and received great
teaching evaluations from students and faculty alike. He was always
prepared and was eager to provide the students with as much knowledge
as possible. We allow our microbiology TAs to be in complete control of
the laboratories and they are expected to do all the lecturing, preparing
exams, grading and advising of the students. I was very impressed with
his contributions to our teaching activities.

With regard to research, Monte was the type of student who was
enthusiastic and thorough in all of his research work. His work was
involved with the development of a novel immunodiagnostic assay for the
detection of antibodies in the systemic fungal disease, blastomycosis. He
was able to perform difficult laboratory procedures with minimal
supervision. Monte was a team player and I could always depend on him
being there to not only perform his own research, but also to assist others
in their individual projects. His work was always performed in a
professional and reliable manner. Monte was able to secure research
funding for his project and he presented his research results at various
regional and national microbiology meetings. He was the recipient of
several awards of excellence for his research presentations.
From September 2003 till August 2006 Monte was an Assistant Lecturer
in the Department of Biological Sciences where he coordinated the
microbiology laboratories and supervised graduate teaching assistants in
those courses. He also taught microbiology and biology lecture courses as
well as laboratory courses. Monte performed in an excellent manner in all
aspects related to these courses.

I therefore support Monte Hibbert’s application, with no reservations, for

the award.
Thank you so much for your consideration of this very worthy candidate.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I might be able to provide additional
information.

Sincerely,

Gene M. Scalarone, Ph.D.

Professor of Microbiology
Assistant Chair Undergraduate Programs