Kind, caring, efficient, spirited and “lover of big fish” are all attributes used to describe Cynthia Gerstner, former Columbia science professor. During her nine years with the college, she worked to build the Science and Mathematics Department, research South American fish and was a devoted mother to her daughter Sarah.

Gerstner, who was considered a staple and a driving force in the department, passed away on April 17 from breast cancer. Her presence in the college included being a well-liked professor and a highly respected and adored faculty member.

“She was just an all around smart, collegial, go-to person,” said Deborah Holdstein, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “This is truly a tremendous loss, significantly for her family, but also for the entire Columbia community.”

An active member of the Columbia community, Gerstner served on more than a dozen college committees. These included the Curriculum Committee, Literary Task Force and Student Affairs Committee.

As soon as she arrived at the college, she began working to update and modify the science curriculum, said Michael Welsh, associate chair in the Science and Mathematics department. One of her biggest contributions to the department and college was her creation of the Environmental Studies minor.

“She contributed to the college generously through her work,” Holdstein said. “She was someone we should all try to emulate in terms of her spirit and determination.”

Gerstner’s love for fish—the suckermouth catfish in particular—took her abroad multiple times to the rainforests of Peru, where she studied catfish swimming patterns.

Her research for the study of “Ecological Sustainability of Ornamental Fishes in the Peruvian Amazon” earned her a number of grants, including the prestigious MacArthur Foundation grant and ones from the John G. Shedd Aquarium.

The research she conducted on the catfish in Peru is on display in the “Amazon Rising” exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium. Elizabeth Davis-Berg, assistant professor in the Science and Mathematics Department, said Gerstner’s work and research was a large contribution to the exhibit, and much of it covers her work on the catfish.

“She was very devoted to what she did,” said Keith Kostecka, associate professor in the Science and Mathematics Department. “I feel for her husband and daughter.”

Gerstner was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Berg said she had gone through all the treatment, including chemotherapy, but after being in remission for a year, she found it had returned. She gathered a lot of strength and happiness from Recovery on Water, a Chicago crew team comprised of breast cancer patients and survivors, Berg said. She loved to row with the team and was always excited to go to practice.

“She described it as going out and doing something,” Berg said. “She didn’t want to sit around feeling sorry for herself. Her attitude was always, ‘I’m going to fight this.’”

Welsh said one of the most frustrating things about her death was she put a great deal of effort into fighting her cancer. However, he said, it’s difficult to not admire her spirit.

“She fought all the way up until the very end,” Berg said.