The American Society of Andrology is saddened to learn that leading prostate cancer expert, innovative translational researcher, and gifted teacher Dr. Donald Coffey died on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at age 85.
Don Coffey, PhD was the Catherine Lola and J. Smith Michael Distinguished Professor of Urology and the Johns Hopkins Professor of Oncology, Pharmacology, Molecular Sciences, and Pathology. Dr. Coffey was a co-founder and a Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
Dr. Coffey received many distinguished awards, which can be found listed in the Johns Hopkins “Hub” webpage online. To everyone who met him, including those students and trainees who attended his seminars and lectures, those who read and were inspired by his research ideas and findings, those colleagues fortunate to participate with him in bench-to-bedside research, or those lucky to share new ideas over high tea in his office, each found him to be creative, thoughtful, innovative, personally engaging and always supportive of others. He welcomed others to think outside the box when it came to thinking about cancer and potential new treatment opportunities. From his pioneering research on the nuclear matrix to his more recent investigations in exploiting temperature to enhance drug sensitivities of cancer cells, Dr. Coffey personified the scientific inquisitiveness he instilled in others.
ASA remembers the person, the researcher, teacher and colleague with great affection. We send our condolences to his wife of 64 years, Eula and family. Don Coffey will be missed.
On behalf of Susan Rothmann, PhD, HCLD, ASA President
Patricia L. Morris, PhD, MS, ASA
Public Affairs and Science Policy Co-Chair