Penn CFAR researcher Steven D. Douglas, MD, passed away on March 13, 2024. A faculty member at CHOP and PSOM since 1980, Dr. Douglas was a giant in the field of pediatric immunology for over 50 years, a leader in research to improve the care of children with HIV/AIDS for nearly 40 years, and for the past 25 years was a key member of the Penn CFAR research community.
Dr. Douglas graduated with his medical degree from Cornell University in 1963. He completed residency in medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and fellowship in immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. He then held faculty positions at Mt. Sinai and University of Minnesota Schools of Medicine and came to CHOP as Professor of Pediatrics in 1980. During a remarkable career that spanned over 60 years, Dr. Douglas dedicated his life to the study of cellular immunology, with a particular focus on HIV. He made tremendous contributions to both basic and clinical pediatric HIV research and played a significant leadership role in the pediatric IMPAACT and adolescent ATN networks. He also made many unique contributions to the Penn CFAR over the past 25 years, including his co-leadership of the CFAR Immunology Core; as a valued colleague and collaborator to many in the CFAR; and as a mentor and role model to so many investigators now contributing to the pediatric AIDS field both here at CHOP/Penn and elsewhere.
Dr. Douglas’s scientific contributions and thought-leadership have profoundly impacted the field, and his local contributions and citizenship have so greatly added to our Penn CFAR community. His passing reflects a huge loss both to the field and to our scientific community.
Donations may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; please indicate Dr. Steven Douglas Education Fund on the memo line.