Niagara University receives $2.5 million gift for endowed chair of chemistry

By Niagara University 

Niagara University alumnus Michael Kakos, ’60, and his wife, Aimee, have pledged a $2,500,000 gift to establish the Michael J., '60 and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Endowed Chair of Chemistry and to support the compensation and research of Dr. Mary McCourt, professor of chemistry, who will hold that position.

“The extraordinary generosity of Michael and Aimee Kakos will have a tremendous impact on our students and on the groundbreaking research being performed on our campus and in our lab in the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Corridor,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “Dr. Mary McCourt’s expertise in computational chemistry and molecular modeling, cancer-targeted drug design, and structural biology will provide unparalleled opportunities for students to work on solutions to real-world health issues, increase their competitiveness for admission to graduate program in the health care professions, and create career pathways for employment immediately after graduation.”

McCourt joined Niagara’s chemistry, biochemistry and physics department in 1999. Her areas of research include the development of Cholestosome technology and urine-based biomarker analysis for diagnostic screens focused on breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. She holds 14 patents for the Cholestosome technology, which was developed at Niagara University and is moving toward commercialization. Her recent work with Cholestosome has focused on developing therapies for treatment of coronaviruses, in particular COVID-19. This pioneering work was recognized by the Western New York section of the American Chemical Society with its 2020 Jacob F. Schoellkopf Medal.

"The faculty and the Vincentian priests played a critical role in my education at Niagara University,” Michael Kakos said. “We are proud to establish the endowed chair of chemistry at Niagara University, which will ensure the continued growth and development of science education at Niagara. It will also ensure that students will have support from the faculty as they establish their goals for careers in the sciences."

Kakos started his career as a lab technician, first in the metals division at Union Carbide in Niagara Falls after graduation, then in ceramic tile research for a New Jersey industry laboratory. In 1963, he joined the plastics division at Celanese Corp. in New Jersey. He was named managing director of the company’s European operations and moved to London. After a decade in that position, he launched his own U.K.-based company, Resin Express Ltd., a plastic and rubber raw materials distributor. In 1997, he sold the international company, retiring two years later.

“Their generous support is the cornerstone of progress, igniting a scientific legacy at Niagara University that propels curious minds and paves the way for a brighter, more enlightened future,” said Jaclyn Drozd, vice president for institutional advancement. “Their support will drive forward the scientific pursuits and achievements at Niagara University.”

The Kakoses have generously supported Niagara University with a previous gift of $250,000 to establish a laboratory that bears their name in the university’s B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences. They also established an endowed scholarship for Niagara students who participate in the university’s study-abroad program.

The Kakos' gift is part of Niagara University’s “Powering Transformation” campaign, which now stands at more than $119,700,000 toward a goal of $125,000,000. This endowed chair position is one of seven created from the campaign.