The Dr. Doug Inglis and Jenny Gusse Memorial Fund

Dr. Doug Inglis and Jenny Gusse loved the Rocky Mountains and escaped to them often. The longtime partners and outdoor enthusiasts were experienced backcountry hikers and campers who enjoyed the wonders of nature in remote locations.

They are described as “can-do” people, the type who took challenges in stride and met every day with optimism and possibility.

“Doug and Jenny’s lives were all about discovery,” says Colleen Inglis, Doug’s sister. “They lived to explore and push limits both personally and professionally.”

Doug worked as an adjunct professor at several Alberta universities, including the University of Lethbridge, and both Doug and Jenny worked at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), supervising undergraduate and graduate students on various research projects.

Jenny, described by a former student as the best molecular biologist she has ever encountered, was a patient and skilled teacher who provided valuable hands-on training in all aspects of lab technique and equipment operation. Doug concentrated on other aspects of student training, ensuring that students were well versed in experimental design, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and counselled in career prospects.

Tragically, Doug and Jenny were killed in a shocking bear attack in the deep woods of Banff National Park in September 2023. To honour their lives and contributions they made to research in southern Alberta and around the world, Colleen established the Doug Inglis and Jenny Gusse Memorial Fund.

“They were so committed to doing research and teaching others in the lab. I wanted to find a way for their passion and voices to carry on,” says Colleen. “My brother was a great mentor, to me and many others. He wanted to create an impact and was always encouraging students to explore and ask questions, because you never know what you might discover. He believed in giving students new opportunities. This fund was created in that spirit.”

The Gusse-Inglis fund will create two scholarships: one for undergrad students and another for graduate students involved in research projects and who are active in the community. The fundraising goal for the endowment is $250,000.

“To have research go on in their names will be a great comfort,” reflects Colleen. “Doug got to the heart of things by always asking, ‘What are we here to do?’ ... We’re here now to carry on their legacy.”

Donations to the Gusse-Ingles fund can be made below: