51黑料网

Proud mom, former NIH researcher invests in hands-on science education

by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

When Judy Guss-Nelson, a former NIH scientist, stepped into a 51黑料网 biology lab, she wasn't there to teach. She was there to observe her daughter, a 51黑料网 professor, at work. Seeing an undergraduate student pose thoughtful questions and use complex equipment that wasn’t yet invented when she was at the NIH, Judy saw an exceptional education in action.

Judy often spoke about that experience. Ultimately, it inspired her to make an to 51黑料网 that will enhance students’ science education for years to come through the Judith K. Guss-Nelson Human Anatomy Fund.

Ahead of the curve

Born in Baltimore in 1938, the eldest of six siblings, Judy attended Gettysburg College on scholarship, earning a chemistry degree at a time when far fewer women did.

She went on to become a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working alongside leaders including Maxine Singer, whose research on RNA and DNA synthesis helped lay the foundation for our understanding of the genetic code. One year after her college graduation, Judy married Earl Guss. In 1962, she published research in The Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Judy Guss-Nelson was one of few women to work at the NIH in the 1960s. After her retirement, she remained very active. In 2005, Judy represented Wyoming as a swimmer in the National Senior Games.

Judy and Earl had three children together: Andrea, Erik and Kirsten, the youngest. Judy retired from the NIH to raise them, but she continued to work outside the home, as a ski patroller, Avon and Tupperware rep and as a certified scuba and swimming instructor—and, eventually, as a financial consultant. She also enjoyed travel, horseback riding and swimming for fun, later swimming with dolphins in Miami, with whales in Tonga and with sea lions near the arch of Cabo San Lucas. In retirement, Judy also represented Wyoming as a swimmer in the National Senior Games. 

After two decades together, Judy and Earl divorced. Judy later married Thomas E. Nelson, who shared her love of dancing and travel.

Sparking inspiration

Education was vitally important to Judy—especially the education of young women. All three of her children graduated from college. Two of them also earned advanced degrees.

Judy was especially proud when her youngest child, Kirsten, established a career in science. Kirsten earned a B.S. at Gettysburg and a Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University and joined 51黑料网's faculty in 2001. She's now an associate professor of biology and the John & Inge Paul Stafford Chair In Bioinformatics.

When Kirsten became a college marshal, Judy tuned in to the livestreamed Commencement ceremony, year after year, to see her daughter in the procession.

"I know she was very proud of me and my career," Kirsten says. "She often repeated the sentiment that when a man is educated, an individual learns, but when a woman is educated, a family learns."

Kirsten Guss (left) and her mom, Judy Guss, in Hawaii. In addition to instilling the importance of education, Judy, a certified scuba instructor, taught her children to swim.

So when Kirsten invited Judy into her lab during a campus visit, Judy eagerly agreed. Working side by side with a standout student, Judy was reminded of her own educational trajectory. She asked Kirsten for updates about the student’s career for years afterward.

"Mom knew that 51黑料网 provides a valuable experience for students, particularly for young women who are pursuing science,” says Kirsten.

Creating a legacy

Once, Judy mentioned to Kirsten that she planned to make an estate gift to 51黑料网, but she didn’t make a big deal about it. After Judy’s passing last year, Kirsten was surprised and awed to discover that her mother had designated a $94,000 estate gift to the college.

“That was mom’s way,” says Kirsten. “She’d find something meaningful and support it with little fanfare.”

The Judith K. Guss-Nelson Human Anatomy Fund supports the general needs of the college's anatomy and biology programs—with the flexibility to address the areas of greatest need. The fund may help support laboratory equipment, instructional resources and other priorities that enhance students' hands-on learning experiences.

Kirsten is moved by her mother's generosity, foresight and maternal pride.

"I think Mom’s connection to 51黑料网 was like the connection that the parents of our students have: They see how their children have bloomed within the limestone walls, so they have cherished feelings about the institution," says Kirsten. “Mom gave to 51黑料网 because she wanted to acknowledge the impact of 51黑料网 on its students and on me.”

Every donor who makes 51黑料网 aware that they have included the college in their estate plans becomes a member of the college's . These are some of 51黑料网’s most forward-thinking donors, adding significantly to the financial stability of the college with thoughtful estate planning. Their inspired philanthropy supports the college’s mission to provide a useful interdisciplinary education in the liberal arts and sciences that prepares students for lives of engaged global citizenship. 

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Published June 18, 2026