In Memoriam

Professor Lester Packer passed away on July 27th 2018

He was born in New York and earned his PhD in Microbiology and Biochemistry from Yale University. During his post doctoral studies he started working on mitochondria  and biological oxidation at the university of Pennsylvania. In the early’s 1960 he joined as professor of Molecular and Cell Biology the University of California at Berkeley.

During 40 years he was the Head of the Paker Lab at UC Berkeley. Professor Lester Packer was a pioneer in the field of Free Radical and Antioxidant Research. He is at the origin the Antioxidant Network Concept discovering the redox cycling of vitamin E by vitamin C. He showed that exogenous lipoïc acid is one of the most potent antioxidant known and is able to regenerate vitamins C and E. Professor Lester Packer has attracted in the Packer Lab many researchers from all over the world.

He was a mentor of numerous great scientits in the field of Free Radical in Biology and Medicine In 2000 he became adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Southern California and persue studies on the biological action of antioxidants and their benefits for Human Health.

Professor Packer published more than 700 scientific papers that generated 33,000 citations and more than 100 books on Antioxidants and Health. He was the editor of the series Oxidative Stress and Disease.

In 1994 Professor Packer founded the Oxygen Club of California (OCC) and served as President for many years. Afterward he was honorary President of OCC. He was also President of the Society for Free Radical Research International (SFRRI).

Professor Packer organized numerous international meetings in America, Europe, Asia with the aim to enhance interactions between researchers interested in Free Radicals and Antioxidants in Biology and Medicine. He always encouraged and supported the young investigators with numerous awards.
In 2007 Professor Packer was honored by the French Republic as Chevalier (knight) of the National Order of Merit. He was promoted as Officer in 2012.

Apart from his work he shared with his wife Anne a passion for the sail.
This eminent scientist was also a great humanist. His exceptional interpersonal skills led him to have many friends worldwide.

The scientific work bequeathed by Professor Packer is immense. His enlightened and avant gardist spirit has significantly contributed to the knowledge of Redox Biology.

For all those who are concerned by the progress of Science, Professor Lester Packer will remain a reference.

Professor Emeritus Josiane Cillard
President of SFRR-Europe