Darwin J. Prockop

DARWIN PROCKOP Obituary

Darwin Johnson Prockop, was born in Palmerton, PA to Ukranian immigrant parents. Darwin attended Haverford College, went to Oxford on a Fullbright, the University of Pennsylvania (MD) and George Washington University (PhD), during which time he met and married Elinor Sacks. Over a career spanning 60 years, Darwin mentored countless scientists and published over 550 manuscripts. As a biochemist, he worked on protein interactions of collagen, with subsequent phases of his career focusing first on the genetics of collagen disorders and then on mesenchymal stromal cells and the therapeutic potential of carefully characterized adult stem cells. He held faculty positions at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Jefferson Medical College, Tulane University, and Texas A&M University. Among numerous other honors, he was recognized with election to the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine and received several distinguished graduate awards. The International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy awarded him their inaugural Career Achievement Award and created the Darwin J. Prockop Mentoring Award. Darwin passed away peacefully on January 22nd in Philadelphia. Despite his gradually declining health, compassionate care from a team led by his dear friend Metja Mohohlo allowed him to remain in his home of 38 years. Darwin was predeceased by his wife, Elinor, and brother, Leon. He is survived by his two children, Susan and David, their wives, Kristie and Hope, and by two grandchildren, Molly and Lyle Prockop. Donations in Darwin's name can be made in his name to the ISCT Early Stage Professional Fund. The Darwin J. Prockop Early Stage Professional Scholarship Fund - International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (isctglobal.org)