To our School of Medicine community,
I am writing to share the sad news that Case Western Reserve University longtime research scientist Hisashi Fujioka, PhD, died Thursday, Jan. 23, at the age of 75.
Hisashi was the manager of standard electron microscopy (EM) services at the CryoEM Core, where he generously shared his expertise. During his tenure at Case Western Reserve, Hisashi spent time in both the Department of Pharmacology and the Institute of Pathology. A passionate researcher in the School of Medicine malaria community for many years, Hisashi came to Case Western Reserve in 1994 to serve as faculty in renowned malaria researcher Masamichi Aikawa’s lab. During his career, he contributed to more than 100 published papers.
“Dr. Fujioka was an exceptional scientist, renowned for his brilliant mind and collaborative spirit,” said Sudha Chakrapani, the John H. Hord Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology. “His contributions were instrumental in groundbreaking work on neurodegenerative diseases and malaria research. He will be deeply missed.”
"I am very sad to hear of Hisashi’s passing. He was a kind, generous and soft-spoken colleague, and he was a consummate electron microscopist," said Clifford Harding, MD, PhD, the Joseph R. Kahn Distinguished University Professor and chair, Department of Pathology. “I first got to know Hisashi in the early 1990s. He was in Masamichi Aikawa’s lab in the Institute of Pathology, two doors down from my lab and they were both very helpful. More than a decade later, after I had discontinued electron microscopy as a technology in my lab to focus on other technologies, Hisashi helped us perform immunoelectron microscopy in projects on exosomes and bacterial vesicles."
The family will receive friends at The Dicicco & Sons Funeral Home, 5975 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Heights, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m., with a Service at 5:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine Masamichi Aikawa, M.D. Memorial Lecture Fund.
Our deepest sympathies are with Hisashi’s family during this difficult time. Students who would like support are encouraged to contact University Health and Counseling Services at 216.368.5872. This line is staffed by a counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Faculty and staff can access counseling at any time by calling AllOne Health (formerly IMPACT Solutions) at 1.800.227.6007.
Hisashi’s dedication to our community and research will long be remembered.
Sincerely,
Stan Gerson, MD
Dean, CWRU School of Medicine
Director, National Center for Regenerative Medicine