Biology professor David Featherstone of the University of Illinois at Chicago was a highly regarded researcher, teacher and mentor who brought an outside-the-box approach to his work.

"His (research) work was really successful, well-funded," said John Leonard, also a professor in UIC's Department of Biological Sciences, adding that Featherstone was already doing interesting work on behavioral genetics and nerve-to-nerve cell connections when he came to UIC 15 years ago.

His teaching, Leonard said, showed the influence of his background as an artist. "He was a very innovative teacher, very theatrical, always trying to engage students," Leonard said. The effort resulted in several teaching awards for Featherstone, including UIC's Silver Circle Award for outstanding undergraduate teaching.

Featherstone, 50, died of unknown causes Jan. 28, according to his wife Janet Richmond, also a biologist and head of UIC's Department of Biological Sciences. According to the Cook County medical examiner's office, he was found on the sidewalk on Chestnut Street near State Street and later pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The cause of death awaits further studies, the office said.

"It's a complete mystery," said Richmond, who was out of town when he died. The couple, who had a home in Glenview, also had an apartment in Chicago.

Featherstone was born and grew up in Elkhorn, Wis. He attended Beloit College, studying art and English. He moved from there to Iowa State University in Ames, where he got an undergraduate degree in zoology.

Richmond, whom he met at Iowa State, said the switch to life sciences was a result of Featherstone's natural curiosity about the world. He went on at Iowa State to get a master's degree in toxicology. From there, he and Richmond moved to the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, where he began work on a doctorate.

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When his adviser moved to Utah State University in Logan, Featherstone followed, finishing his doctoral work there and continuing with postdoctoral work at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City until coming to UIC.

He was an accomplished researcher whose work was highlighted not only in professional journals but also occasionally in the popular press. That included an unexpected finding to do with how manipulation of a gene in fruit flies could direct male flies to court other males, instead of the females they would normally pursue.

According to the 2007 story on WBEZ-FM Chicago, Featherstone was working on how messages are transmitted in the brain. In one experiment, he was "tinkering" with a gene he thought might be related to Lou Gehrig's disease. As it turned out, scientists learned that by interfering with a specific gene, they could change the fly's sexual behavior.

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Hormoz BassiriRad, also a professor in biological sciences at UIC, said Featherstone was a standout teacher.

"He was dedicated to his research and professional relationship with his colleagues, but will be best remembered for his unrelenting dedication to student teaching, advising, and mentorship," BassiriRad said in an email.

BassiriRad noted that as the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Biological Sciences, with roughly 2,000 declared biology students, he made a tremendous effort to improve the biology curriculum so students would be better equipped for career and professional goals. He also put in place ways to encourage and reward students who embraced critical thinking and research-based learning.

Featherstone's talents, unorthodox approaches and sense of humor drew some unexpected descriptions from his colleagues, including a couple who described him as "quirky."

"He was incredibly entertaining," said fellow professor Thomas Park, who described himself as a colleague, friend and admirer. "He could teach any subject. His mind was open to thinking outside the box. His students were enthralled."

BassiriRad described Featherstone as "a kid at heart, which is perhaps why he was such a big hit with the students. You will also be hard-pressed to find a scientist who is so accomplished in his/her research while caring and dedicating so much time for student affairs."

In addition to Richmond, he is survived by his son, Samuel; parents Bruce and Judy Featherstone; and brothers Jeff and Eric.

Services were held.

Megan is a freelance reporter.

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