In Memoriam
Robert N. Taylor, MD, PhD
The RSDP family is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Dr. Robert N. Taylor, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Taylor joined the RSDP Executive Committee in 2001 and has played in integral part in the continuing success of the program. In addition to serving on the RSDP Executive Committee, Dr. Taylor took over leadership of the RSDP Evaluation Committee in 2017 and has done an outstanding job orchestrating site visits for the scholars, reviewing and presenting reports to the Executive Committee, and monitoring the subsequent development of the scholars as they progress toward research independence. Dr. Taylor’s longstanding commitment to the training of physician-scientists, with > 30 years’ experience as a mentor in REI and MFM fellowship programs is a testament to his commitment to the OB/GYN Community and his legacy will last for years to come. We send our condolences to Dr. Taylor’s family and everyone who had the privilege to know this amazing visionary.
Carole Mendelson, PhD
It is with very heavy hearts that we share the passing of Carole Mendelson. Carole lost a courageous battle with cancer on February 12, 2023. Dr. Mendelson served as the Chair of the RSDP Selection Committee for many years, and also served as member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, and was a member of the Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award Advisory Committee. Carole’s research was focused on reproductive and perinatal biology, including mechanisms in the initiation of parturition, molecular mechanisms in placental development and in the developmental, hormonal and tissue-specific regulation of surfactant protein gene expression in fetal lung tissue. Her leadership, smile, and positivity are already sorely missed.
Robert Jaffe, MD
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Jaffe, MD on June 20, 2020. Dr. Jaffe was a pioneer in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr. Jaffe established and led Reproductive Scientist Development Program (housed at UCSF) for over 25 years, which has enabled OBGYNs-in-training to have mentored research in basic and translational science with commitments from their institutions to support them as faculty. Dr. Jaffe will be dearly missed by his many friends, colleagues, and the RSDP family.
Lawrence D. Longo, MD
With deep sadness we share with you that Lawrence D. Longo, MD, passed away 5 January 2016. In 1987, Dr. Longo prepared the original grant application for the Reproductive Scientist Development Program, which was first funded in 1988 by the National Institutes of Health. He served as Director and Co-Director until 2013. Dr. Longo was a distinguished Professor of Physiology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loma Linda University and was internationally recognized in the field of fetal and neonatal physiology as a pioneer investigator, mentor, teacher, missionary, innovator, medical historian, and ambassador of academic scholarship.
His life was an extraordinary example of dedication and perseverance.