1941
Born to Floyd Charles and Berniece (Humbert) Butel in Overbrook, KS.
1963
Earns a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Kansas State University and is a graduate fellow of the National Science Foundation.
1966
Obtains a Doctor of Philosophy, with honors, from Baylor University and is a postdoctoral fellow at the College of Medicine until 1968.
1967
Marries David Yates Graham, M.D. on March 31.
1968
Performs virus research and teaches as an assistant, associate and full professor at the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) until 1995.
1986
Is the first woman awarded the Joseph L. Melnick professorship of virology at BCM through 2018.
1989
Serves as the first woman at BCM to chair an academic unit (Division of Molecular Virology) through 1999.
1989
Is a contributing editor of the virology section for nine editions of Lange Medical Microbiology textbook until 2013.
1990
Serves the American Society of Microbiology as division chair until 1991 and group IV representative from 1993 to 1995.
1994
Is founding director of the Baylor-UTHouston Center for AIDS Research until 2015 and a national executive committee member from 2001 to 2003.
1994
Is a member of the advisory council of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases until 1997.
1995
Performs virus research and teaches as the first woman distinguished service professor at BCM until appointed to emerita status in 2018.
1999
Is chair of the nominating committee for the American Association for Cancer Research’s Women in Cancer Research until 2003.
2000
Is appointed chair of the Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology at BCM through 2016.
2002
Is named Distinguished Alumnus of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences by BCM and again in 2017.
2005
Is a leader/co-leader of a research program at the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center of BCM until 2017.
2007
Earns the Women in Cancer Research-Charlotte Friend Memorial Lectureship from the American Association Cancer Research.
2013
Is appointed the Kyle and Josephine Morrow Chair at BCM through 2018 and receives the BioHouston Women in Science Award.
2014
Is an honoree at the Harris Co. Medical Society for Women in Health & Medical Science Gala.
2017
Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, TX declares January 6 “Dr. Janet Butel Day” as part of a symposium in her honor by BCM.