ASU Alum Contributes to Insectary Research Following Brother-in-Law’s Death from West Nile Virus
Dorene McCourt, an Arizona State University alumna, was flipping through an issue of ASU Thrive last fall when a story on the university’s insectary caught her attention. Shortly after, she reached out to ASU to see how she could contribute to the lab’s future success.
Her interest in the lab stems from her brother-in-law, Alex Eugene “Gene” Elefant, who died in 2021 shortly after contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness that currently has no preventative vaccines or medicines. On his birthday, July 29, the lab was named in his memory.
“After I graduated from ASU, I ended up working for Merck, a research-based pharmaceutical company. So I have great admiration and appreciation for what can happen in terms of either saving lives or improving lives through medical research and scientific research. It’s near and dear to my heart,” McCourt said.
On Monday, friends and family gathered on ASU’s Tempe campus to speak about Gene Elefant and tour the insectary.
Associate Professor Silvie Huijben and Associate Professor Krijn Paaijmans, who lead research at the insectary, presented on diseases such as the West Nile virus and what they’re currently working on. They were followed by McCourt and his daughter Lacey Elefant, who shared the impact Gene Elefant had on the lives of those who surrounded him.
Afterward, Huijben and Paaijmans guided everyone through the lab, where they discussed different facts about mosquitoes and showcased how they conduct their research and future plans.
In addition to the lab’s dedication, a newly established endowment fund was named in Elefant’s honor, with the goal of getting one step closer to finding preventative solutions to viruses carried by mosquitoes. The Alex Eugene “Gene” Elefant Insectary Endowment will continue to fund cutting-edge research and contribute to training and funding undergraduate and graduate student research.
Elefant was described by his family as a hardworking family man. He was known for his wisdom and his inclusivity of all those around him. He took pride in his work and built his career in manufacturing operations and logistics from the ground up.
“He was very genuine; he loved very, very deeply,” said his wife, Darla Elefant. “His family came first in his life, and with me, when I think about him, which is every day, he was very devoted. Gene was always there for me, the kids or really anybody.
“He is my soulmate, my life partner. We were inseparable.”
His children, Lacey and Josh Elefant, had a deep bond with their father. His love for the outdoors translated into some of their family’s favorite memories — from days at Lake Havasu to afternoons spent hunting and camping.