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In memorium: David Kritchevsky
Journal of Clinical Lipidology (2007) 1, 5– 6
In memorium: David Kritchevsky Twenty-six years ago my colleague, Vincent Cristofalo, and I were asked to write a dedication to David Kritchevsky on the occasion of his 60th birthday that was published in the journal Atherosclerosis. Shown below is that dedication. In 1958, David Kritchevsky wrote the following as part of the preface to his book, Cholesterol: “Some of the keenest scientific intellects have focused their attention on this sterol. Indeed, a roll call of these investigators whose names have appeared on publications concerned with cholesterol would be a scientific elite.” For more than twenty years Dave has focused his keen intellect on the metabolism of cholesterol and the mechanisms underlying the development of atherosclerosis, and in so doing, has added his name to the list of scientific elite. After receiving his PhD in Organic Chemistry at Northwestern University in 1948, he studied in Zurich with Dr L. Ruzicka at the Federal Institute of Technology. He then became a staff member at the Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley with Melvin Calvin. During this period he pioneered research in the preparation, detection, and analysis of tritiated sterols. Other important research during this period included studies on the biosynthesis of cholesterol from various precursors. From 1952 to 1957, Dave was with the Virus and Rickettsial Research Section at Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, New York. It was during this period that he began his studies on diet and lipid metabolism and the role of lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis. He has continued these studies to the present. In 1957, he joined the staff of Wistar Institute. He is now Associate Director of that Institute, and Wistar Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. “I undertook the writing of this in an effort to organize the vast cholesterol literature for my own use. In the several years that I had been engaged in research in this field, I had been impressed by the lack of a centralized source of information.” Again, a quote from his 1958 volume. In this volume, Dave was remarkably successful in single-handedly bringing together and focusing the diverse infor-
mation then available on sterol metabolism. He has continued these efforts as author of numerous review articles. In addition, as editor of over 20 individual volumes or serial publications, Dave has provided an unbiased forum for the publication of new concepts and advances in lipid chemistry and metabolism. For many years he has played a central role in stimulating scientific communication by unhesitatingly dedicating his time and organizational abilities to the development of numerous national and international committees, symposia and meetings. Thus, throughout the years he has continued to serve as a unifying force as well as a catalyst for the development and interchange of scientific thought. On a more personal note, anyone who has ever met Dave is immediately impressed with his warmth and friendliness. His keen sense of humor is quickly apparent. Despite the competitive nature of this field, Dave’s wit and charm have helped all of us maintain a sense of proportion. Inclusion in Dave’s Christmas poem is viewed as being as much a scientific achievement as publication in the most prestigious journal. What’s more, generations of biochemistry students have learned the cholesterol pathway from his cleverly composed songs. In fact, the progress of scientific achievement in the area of atherosclerosis research can be traced through a review of his songs and poems. Finally, we wish to call attention to an aspect of Dave’s character for which we feel he has not yet received sufficient recognition. That is, the encouragement, support and guidance he has given to a large number of young investigators, both those who began their careers in his own laboratory, as well as many others in the scientific community. He used his outstanding reputation in subtle ways to assist the development of young scientists, often without their knowledge.” After reading the dedication, Barbara and I believe that in the 26 years since that dedication was written, Dave’s contributions continued to accumulate. His interests broadened to include the effect of diet on both atherosclerosis and cancer, and significant contributions
1933-2874/$ -see front matter © 2007 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2007.01.001
6 were made from studies on saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, plant sterols, fiber, antioxidant vitamins, and carbohydrates. The list of his research publications, review articles, and presentations steadily increased, including a book on dietary fiber edited in 2003, and he continued to influence the scientific community by participating in ongoing debates on issues relating nutrition to cardiovascular disease and cancer. He continued as a recipient of a National Institutes of Health Research Career Award for 44 years, and last year was the inaugural recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the American Society of Nutrition. His wit and humor did
Journal of Clinical Lipidology, Vol 1, No 1, March 2007 not diminish, nor did his support of young scientists. He will be greatly missed. Barbara Howard, PhD MedStar Research Institute Georgetown University Washington, DC George Rothblat, PhD Stokes Institute Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
In memorium: David Kritchevsky Twenty-six years ago my colleague, Vincent Cristofalo, and I were asked to write a dedication to David Kritchevsky on the occasion of his 60th birthday that was published in the journal Atherosclerosis. Shown below is that dedication. In 1958, David Kritchevsky wrote the following as part of the preface to his book, Cholesterol: “Some of the keenest scientific intellects have focused their attention on this sterol. Indeed, a roll call of these investigators whose names have appeared on publications concerned with cholesterol would be a scientific elite.” For more than twenty years Dave has focused his keen intellect on the metabolism of cholesterol and the mechanisms underlying the development of atherosclerosis, and in so doing, has added his name to the list of scientific elite. After receiving his PhD in Organic Chemistry at Northwestern University in 1948, he studied in Zurich with Dr L. Ruzicka at the Federal Institute of Technology. He then became a staff member at the Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley with Melvin Calvin. During this period he pioneered research in the preparation, detection, and analysis of tritiated sterols. Other important research during this period included studies on the biosynthesis of cholesterol from various precursors. From 1952 to 1957, Dave was with the Virus and Rickettsial Research Section at Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, New York. It was during this period that he began his studies on diet and lipid metabolism and the role of lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis. He has continued these studies to the present. In 1957, he joined the staff of Wistar Institute. He is now Associate Director of that Institute, and Wistar Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. “I undertook the writing of this in an effort to organize the vast cholesterol literature for my own use. In the several years that I had been engaged in research in this field, I had been impressed by the lack of a centralized source of information.” Again, a quote from his 1958 volume. In this volume, Dave was remarkably successful in single-handedly bringing together and focusing the diverse infor-
mation then available on sterol metabolism. He has continued these efforts as author of numerous review articles. In addition, as editor of over 20 individual volumes or serial publications, Dave has provided an unbiased forum for the publication of new concepts and advances in lipid chemistry and metabolism. For many years he has played a central role in stimulating scientific communication by unhesitatingly dedicating his time and organizational abilities to the development of numerous national and international committees, symposia and meetings. Thus, throughout the years he has continued to serve as a unifying force as well as a catalyst for the development and interchange of scientific thought. On a more personal note, anyone who has ever met Dave is immediately impressed with his warmth and friendliness. His keen sense of humor is quickly apparent. Despite the competitive nature of this field, Dave’s wit and charm have helped all of us maintain a sense of proportion. Inclusion in Dave’s Christmas poem is viewed as being as much a scientific achievement as publication in the most prestigious journal. What’s more, generations of biochemistry students have learned the cholesterol pathway from his cleverly composed songs. In fact, the progress of scientific achievement in the area of atherosclerosis research can be traced through a review of his songs and poems. Finally, we wish to call attention to an aspect of Dave’s character for which we feel he has not yet received sufficient recognition. That is, the encouragement, support and guidance he has given to a large number of young investigators, both those who began their careers in his own laboratory, as well as many others in the scientific community. He used his outstanding reputation in subtle ways to assist the development of young scientists, often without their knowledge.” After reading the dedication, Barbara and I believe that in the 26 years since that dedication was written, Dave’s contributions continued to accumulate. His interests broadened to include the effect of diet on both atherosclerosis and cancer, and significant contributions
1933-2874/$ -see front matter © 2007 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2007.01.001
6 were made from studies on saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, plant sterols, fiber, antioxidant vitamins, and carbohydrates. The list of his research publications, review articles, and presentations steadily increased, including a book on dietary fiber edited in 2003, and he continued to influence the scientific community by participating in ongoing debates on issues relating nutrition to cardiovascular disease and cancer. He continued as a recipient of a National Institutes of Health Research Career Award for 44 years, and last year was the inaugural recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the American Society of Nutrition. His wit and humor did
Journal of Clinical Lipidology, Vol 1, No 1, March 2007 not diminish, nor did his support of young scientists. He will be greatly missed. Barbara Howard, PhD MedStar Research Institute Georgetown University Washington, DC George Rothblat, PhD Stokes Institute Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA