March 21, 2022

 

Matt M

The Center for Immunology remembers professor emeritus Dr. Matthew Mescher who died on December 21, 2021, of cancer.

It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce that Dr. Matthew Mescher died on December 21, 2021, of cancer.  Matt came to the UMN in 1992 and immediately brought together a group of immunologists from across the University to form the Center for Immunology (CFI). Matt was the first director of CFI from its inception in 1993 until his retirement in 2015, Matt was a transformational leader during his 22-year tenure at the University of Minnesota, he was not only the CFI director but an endowed professor with a large active research lab in the LMP department, he also served on several committees and chairs and was instrumental in the formation of a new graduate program (MICaB) at UMN. In his calm and confident way, Matt led the construction of the BDD corridor and brought over 17 basic immunology labs together under one roof to create one of the strongest academic units at the UMN and one of the leading Immunology Programs in the country.  His contribution to science will remain vital through the Center for Immunology and the ongoing research of his many trainees.  Memorial contributions may be made to CFI’s: Mescher Trainee Enhancement Fund.  More about Mescher’s leadership and legacy at CFI can be found here

Matt was a long-time member of The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and to honor his memory, AAI along with Drs. Jenkins, Orr, James Schindler, and Bob Allison co-authored the following remembrance: here