PerspectivesAre you interested in submitting a Perspective Article? Be sure to read The Science Advisory Board's Editorial Guides for Perspective Articles. Click here. Professor Llyod A. Horrocks: Obituary by Tahira Farooqui, Ph.D. The international neuroscience and biochemistry community has lost an outstanding scientist, leader and teacher who nurtured generations of biochemists in America and produced collaborations with the worldwide scientific community. Professor Loyd A. Horrocks died on August 18, 2007 at the age of 75 in Columbus, Ohio. He was one of the outstanding leaders in neurochemistry and a man of admirable qualities. Dr. Lloyd Horrocks didn't use many words in conversation but was greatly respected for expressing his extraordinary humility, warmth, care and interest in others. Dr. Lloyd Horrocks was a mentor and a friend to most of us therefore his departure from our midst pains us deeply. Dr. Horrocks received numerous awards and honors, including: Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership) 1952; Phi Lambda Upsilon (chemistry) 1952; Sigma Xi (science) 1954; NIH Special Fellowship 1964; Macy Faculty Scholarship 1974; Honorary Member of Tohoku Medical Society (Japan) 1984; NATO Visiting Professorship (National Research Council of Italy) 1986; Foreign Corresponding Member of Royal Academy of Sciences (Spain) 1993; [One of 70 foreign members in 1993; the Academy was founded in the early 1500s]; Neurochemical Research, special issue in his honor, 1997; distinguished Achievement Citation, Ohio Wesleyan Univ., 1998; Hall of Fame, Edgewood High School (Ashtabula, OH), 1998. He served in several editorial boards and study sections: J. Lipid Research, 1976 1983, Editorial Board; J. Neurochem., 978 1985, Editorial Board; 1976 1977, Advisory Board; International Lecithin Study Group, 1989 1993; Lipids, Associate Editor, 1985 2007; Folia Neuropathologica, 2006-2007; Molecular and Chemical Neuropathology (formerly Neurochem. Pathol., merged into J. Mol. Neurosci. in 1999), 1982 1998, Editor in Chief for 18 years and Founder of the journal; Neurochem. Res., Associate Editor, 1998-2004; J. Mol. Neurosci., Editorial Board, 1999-2000; Neurological Disorders Program Project Review B Committee (NSB), NIH, 198l 1985; Training Grant and Career Development Review Committee (NST), NINDS, 1990 1993; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Peer Review Committee B, 1991 1993; Scientific Advisory Board for Jean Carper, nutrition editor for USA Weekend (30 million circulation), 2004-2007; Board of Scientific Counselors, National Institute of Aging, ad hoc, November, 1994 and November, 1998; National Institutes of Health, ad hoc committees; Special Emphasis Panel, ZRG1-BDCN-2, NIH, Feb. 27, 2002, New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Injury, (2004). Dr. Lloyd Horrocks was an active member of several scientific societies: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; American Society for Neurochemistry (Local Chairman, 1973 National Meeting; Council Alternate, 1985 1987; Program Chairman, 1988 National Meeting; Program Committee, 1987 1989; Chairman, Standing Rules Committee, 1989 1993); American Oil Chemists' Society (Board member, Ohio Valley Section, 2000-2005); Biochemical Society; European Society for Neurochemistry; International Society for Neurochemistry (Committee on future of ISN, 1978 1979, Programme Committee, 1979 198l, 1989 1991; Co organizer, Satellite Symposia, 1980 1981, 1982 1983, 1984 1985; Council, 1981 1985; Nominating Committee, 1985 1987); Society for Neuroscience (Central Ohio Chapter, Sec. Treas., 1972 1973; Chairman elect, 1973 1974, 1976 1977; Chairman, 1977 1978). Dr. Lloyd Horrocks was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 13, 1932 in a small family with two sisters. He grew up in Michigan and Illinois, and was a son of a YMCA administrator. He obtained his Bachelors of Arts degree at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, 1949 1953 (with Honors in Chemistry). He obtained his Masters degree in 1953 with Professor J.B. Brown at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He stayed in the Department of Physiological Chemistry and obtained his Ph.D. in 1960 under the guidance of Professor David G. Cornwell. His graduate studies were devoted to the characterization and analysis of fatty acids. In 1960, he chose brain lipids as a topic for his career in research. His earlier interests were the analysis of fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography and determination of theoretical basis of calibration factors for the thermal conductivity detector. His interests changed to glycerophospholipid metabolism including health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), role of plasmalogens in signal transduction, involvement of phospholipases A2 in neurological disorders. He was the first to describe the stimulation of phospholipase A2 in ischemic injury. He not only discovered plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 in the brain, but also described the stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 in Alzheimer disease. He studied alterations in neural membrane phospholipids in spinal cord injury. He continued directing research and writings even after his retirement in 1992. He ensured that the maximum number of scientists from his laboratory participated in the neurochemistry meetings and had the opportunity to interact with authorities and for exchange of scientific ideas. Dr. Lloyd Horrocks authored over 300 research publications, edited 7 books and wrote 2 monographs. He mentored many graduate students and post-doctoral colleagues. The students trained by him are now making excellent research/teaching/writing contributions to their respective fields. His words represent the frontiers of medical science: the understanding of the human brain. Because of his major contribution in neurochemistry, Dr. Horrocks will always remain with us. His findings will lead the way for many future scientists having interest in lipid-mediated biochemistry, neuroscience and neurochemistry of brain and lipids involvement in human diseases. Dr. Lloyd Horrocks is survived by his wife, Marjorie of 51 years, son, Richard, daughter, Becky and grandchildren, William, Aaron and Valerie Haxe, Ian and Ashley Horrocks, and great-grandson Zachary Haxe-Evans. Dr. Horrocks was dedicated to his family and the field of scientific research and writings. His wife Marjorie was actually the source of strength and inspiration in his life. He enjoyed her company in scientific meetings. He was a gentleman who was liked by his family, friends, students and colleagues. I am honored to have the opportunity to write the commentary on Dr. Lloyd Horrocks. His love of science and his human qualities coupled with his innate abilities brought out the best of Dr. Lloyd Horrocks in shaping the growth of neurochemistry. Dr. Horrock’s scientific guidance will be missed in the international neurochemistry community. We can pay him a fitting tribute by fulfilling his dream of introducing lipid neurochemistry in every aspect of science to answer many unsolved problems in the brain during human aging and/or neurodegenerative diseases. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Perspectives ] |
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