Remembering Farrokh Modabber

Photo credit: DNDi

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr Farrokh Modabber.

Farrokh is fondly remembered by generations of scientists across the globe for his commitment, advocacy and insight across the disciplinary spectrum of research on leishmaniasis. His leadership and direction of leishmaniasis research at TDR (the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) mobilized scientific research for the prevention and control of the disease in communities across the globe. Farrokh also left a mark on the people he collaborated with and the institutions he helped build, through his dedication to strengthening institutional research capacity and supporting individual career development in science. 

Born in Iran in 1940, his life and career were rich and dense, filled with success. He studied immunology at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Harvard Medical School and returned to Iran to develop research capacity. He then led leishmaniasis research at TDR, Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) and DNDi and also led the research capacity strengthening programme at TDR.

Farrokh never shied away from challenges; in fact, he embraced them with enthusiasm and always with a positive attitude, a twinkle in his eye and a sparkling sense of humor.

We are privileged to have known and worked with Farrokh. As colleagues, we shared a common passion for science and for supporting people who want to do science. As friends, we have shared the ups and downs of life and had fun as well.

Farrokh will be remembered with immense respect and will be missed greatly. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, daughter and sons and their families.

“I am become a name / For always roaming with a hungry heart / Much have I seen and known; cities of men / And manners, climates, councils, governments, / Myself not least, but honour'd of them all” (Tennyson, “Ulysses”).