Saying Goodbye to a True TDT Legend
It is with bittersweet feelings that TDT is announcing our Ph.D Staff Scientist and Technical Sales Director, Victor Rush, is retiring.
Victor has been a keystone of the neuroscience industry for over 25 years where he has helped thousands of labs have receive personalized and professional care. His tireless efforts to make right by our customers and to create custom solutions for special recording setups is now fully embodied in the core TDT ethos. We are a much stronger company because of Victor. We are proud of the lines of customers that come to say hello to Victor at SfN and other conferences. We are in awe of the million+ miles that Victor has flown to meet customers in labs to help them get set up. But mostly, we are grateful for the time we got to spend with such an amazing colleague.
From the bottom of our hearts – thank you Dr. Rush!
When did you start at TDT?
June 15th, 2000.
Where did you get your Ph.D?
UC Santa Barbara
What lab did you come from?
Dr. John Endler
What was the title of your Ph.D Thesis?
The Evolution of Visual Pigments in Poecilid Fishes
How did you get hired at TDT?
I was working on getting auditory brainstem recordings (ABRs) in fishes for Dr. Hong Yan when my funding was running out. Dr. Mann, formerly at TDT, and Dr. Yan were friends and TDT happened to be hiring at the time. I was already familiar with the (OLD OLD school) TDT equipment because that’s what Dr. Yan had so it was a great fit. Plus, my wife did not want to move to a small Kentucky town so I could get a job teaching evolution and physiology at a Baptist college.
What has been your favorite conference location over the years?
In the early years it was New Orleans, but recently it’s been wherever they have the Winter Conference on Brain Research (so I can ski)
What was your favorite TDT product over the years?
Have to say I love the iCon system that we sell now. Other than that, it would have to be Pentusa for the name and RL2 for the more interesting uses of the module.
What have TDT customers meant to you?
We have the best customers. Some of them, I hope, will be life long friends.
What is one thing you will miss about working, if anything?
That is actually a tough one. Ranked Order of favorites below:
1. The customers, I love talking shop and doing research vicariously through our customers. Nothing better than seeing an amazing paper and knowing that we helped with that researcher.
2. The people. Hanging out with the group at meetings and trash talking each other is still great fun. And as a great TDT employee once said on their final day. “No you wont” so it will be unlikely that I will be hanging out with peeps on a regular basis.
3. The Toys. I love playing around with new equipment.
What are some plans you have after retirement?
Doing more hiking along the AP trail. Already booked some dates in the fall.
Playing more Bridge
Volunteering for the Florida Parks and recreation.
Travel
More Kayaking in and around Florida.
Doing some needed clean up in the back yard.
Be well, Victor. Catch you at the Black Adder!
Thank you.
You can say thank you too!
If you want to email Victor it’s vrush@tdt.com