Who is Bird's Mother-in-law, the Professor (Bird's father-in-law) from A Personal Matter and what is their importance?

Bird's wife's parents remain unnamed. His mother-in-law is focused, to the point of near-obsession, with her daughter's well-being. His father-in-law, referred to as the Professor, is apparently more concerned with status and with his academically and intellectually superior relationship with Bird than with any kind of familial intimacy or connection. In essence, neither if his wife's parents seems interested in Bird as a person.