In Memoriam

Unfortunately, over the last 12 months, the peptide science community has lost several colleagues, notably, Judy Warner, American Peptide Society (APS) Symposium organizer, Elizabeth Schram, the American Peptide Symposium Young Investigator sponsor, and Professor Jean Rivier, the president of the APS (1993-1995). Judy was a wonderful person, always gentle and cheerful, and dedicated to the organization of the American Peptide Symposium for more than 10 years. Elizabeth was a great supporter of the Young Investigators' oral and poster presentations, and the Professional Luncheon Network that takes place at the biennial American Peptide Symposium. Her legacy of the unwavering support of the developing scientist will always be remembered. Professor Jean Rivier's contributions to understanding stress and the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) peptide biology, and the discovery of CRF receptor-selective antagonists are remarkable. He was a true innovator and a colleague whose kindness we will not forget. They all made outstanding contributions to the APS that will never be forgotten. We are honored and privileged in knowing and working with them. We will deeply miss them. Their legacy is captured below. Judith Ellen (Burns) Warner, 60, passed away on April 9th 2020, in Bloomington, IN, U.S.A. after a courageous battle with cancer. Her pure spirit, loving nature and infinite politeness will be missed by all who knew her. Judy always saw the good in everyone, and her thoughtfulness and altruism were an inspiration. Judy had been affiliated with the APS since 2009 in her role as a Senior Conference Manager with Indiana University Conference Services. She was a pillar of that organization. She took on managing the logistics of the last six American Peptide Symposia, and did so diligently, cheerfully and flawlessly. Judy organized every detail with her mind always on the happiness of each participant and exhibitor as well as a balanced budget. She worked tirelessly in order to ensure each event was a success. Everyone, including exhibitors, vendors, and attendees, loved her and will miss seeing her smiling face at the welcome booth. While many people speak of their values, Judy lived them daily. She was stalwart in her acceptance of others, and would steadfastly defend those who were unfairly treated, abused or discriminated against. Her tolerance, patience, and sense of justness served as an example for those who were fortunate to know her. Judy leaves behind many clients, colleagues and friends who will miss her compassion, selflessness and kindness. Judy was born on July 24th 1959, in Lowell, MA, U.S.A. to Marilyn and Joseph Burns, and was the eldest of four children. She graduated from Elizabethtown High School in Elizabethtown, KY. She is survived by her two sons, Dr John Warner of Pittsburgh, PA, and Adam Warner of Bloomington, IN, who is a third-year medical student. A loving and devoted mother, Judy's greatest personal accomplishment and source of pride were her beloved sons. Given their chosen careers, they are surely testament to her ability to nurture the best in others. Dr Elizabeth Schram, founder and Chairwoman of the ESCOM Science Foundation, passed away on December 18th 2019, during a visit to her school in Chennai, India. She was 74 years old. Dr Schram and the ESCOM Science Foundation have been great supporters of the young investigators of the APS. As mentioned, the organization has been sponsoring oral and poster presentations for young investigators and supporting the professional growth and network of these scientists through the Bert L. Schram Networking Lunch event at the American Peptide Symposium. As a benefactor to, and dear friend of the APS, she will be deeply missed. Michael Bertucci, Co-chair of the Student Activities Committee, said, “Her legacy of the unwavering support of the developing scientist will be revered for decades to come.” Dr Schram was an international advocate for science education. ESCOM Science Foundation aims to provide financial and infrastructural support to students and young scientists of all nationalities. In 2000, she established The Schram Academy (TSA) in Chennai, India. Among its five campuses, TSA has been educating students across all backgrounds to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, and moral, responsible citizens in today's world. Jean Rivier was Professor Emeritus at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, U.S.A. He passed away peacefully in San Diego, CA, U.S.A. on November 13th 2019. Jean was born in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1941. His family moved to Brazil in 1956, where he obtained the French Baccalauréat. He moved to Switzerland in 1960, earning a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Lausanne and his doctorate in organic chemistry from the Université de Lausanne. From there Jean went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at Rice University in Houston, TX, U.S.A., before joining the Salk Institute in 1970 with his wife, Catherine Rivier, now Professor Emerita. It was in the Salk Institute's Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology that Jean pioneered studies on the characterization of the hypothalamic peptides that control stress response, and developed drugs that target this response. He showed that CRFs are responsible for many of the body's reactions to stress, including disabling the immune system in irritable bowel syndrome. After obtaining exclusive rights to CRF-targeted molecules from the Salk Institute he founded Sentia Medical Sciences Inc., a company that seeks to develop novel peptides to cure stress-related diseases. In addition to Jean's contributions to understanding stress, his work resulted in eight drugs used to diagnose and treat endometriosis, precocious puberty, neuroendocrine tumors, prostate cancer, hypogonadism, pituitary dwarfism, and intractable pain. Among his many accomplishments, Jean was author or co-author on more than 1000 refereed papers, the coinventor on more than 120 patents, and, during his time at the Salk Institute, he was honored by being appointed the inaugural Dr Frederik Paulsen Chair in Neurosciences. The importance of his achievements was further reflected in comments made by Rusty Gage, president of the Salk Institute last November, “The scientific community has lost a true innovator with Jean's passing”. “He pioneered countless studies on the biology of stress and developed drugs that target the body's stress response system to treat a range of ailments. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy and will be greatly missed.” Along with his wife, Jean is survived by their children, Lauraine Rivier and Cédric Rivier.