Pierre Morell tribute for neurobiology of lipids

Pierre Morell, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, passed away on July 15, 2003 after a brief illness. Pierre was educated at the Bronx High School of Science, Columbia University, and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, doing post-doctoral research with Norm Radin at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Pierre was a leader in the field of myelin metabolism, in particular the synthesis and turnover of myelin lipids (glycosphingo-lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol). A re-curring theme was use of altered states (e.g., mutant or genetically engineered mice, toxicants, altered nutritional states) to examine myelin metabolism and function. He was a tireless supporter of various scientific societies, including the International Society for Neurochemistry, and he provided wise counsel and advice to several generations of neuroscientists throughout the world. His premature passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill. A memorial fund at UNC has been established.