Born in Bath, and a graduate of Brunswick High School, Susan attended Hamilton College and the Tufts School of Dental Medicine where she graduated with a DMD in 1979. Dr. Haake did periodontal specialty training at the University of Connecticut and completed a Masters Degree in Dental Science in 1983. She earned a PhD in Microbiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center where she made a series of key discoveries about interbacterial adherence.
In 1991, Dr. Haake joined the faculty of the School of Dentistry at UCLA to perform postdoctoral work. After establishing her own laboratory, she used her unique perspective as both a microbiologist and a periodontist to discover insights into the roles of periodontal bacteria in human health and disease.
Dr. Haake was also a leading investigator in the Human Microbiome Initiative of the National Institute of Health and at the time of her death, was heading an innovative, multidisciplinary project on bacteria and gum disease. Among Dr. Haake’s numerous awards are the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Dental Research Physician-Scientist Award 1987-1992, the OKU Robert B. Wolcott Award for Distinguished Service to the Dental Profession in 2004, and diplomate status from the American Board of Periodontology in 2007. In recognition for outstanding teaching and mentoring in Periodontics, Dr. Haake received the American Academy of Periodontology’s Educator Award in 2008 and again in 2012.
In addition to her academic successes, Dr. Haake was an avid outdoorswoman and accomplished athlete. She loved biking, hiking, swimming and running. She ran the Chicago Half-Marathon and, as recently as Nov. 2011, ran a Thanksgiving Day 5k race. Sue was also an accomplished photographer.
Dr. Haake is survived by her husband Dr. David Haake, her two children, Christine and Erik Haake, her brothers and sisters, Richard Kinder (Cyndy), Paul T. Kinder (Sandi), Jane Kinder Podkaminer (Nathan), Kathryn T. Kinder (Stephen) along with several beloved nieces and nephews as well as dear friends Paula and Dennis Tefft.
She was predeceased by her parents, Helen G. Schlaack and Dr. Edward. L. Kinder.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the UCLA Foundation/Dr. Susan Kinder Haake Memorial Fund at: Development Office, UCLA School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668.
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