In memory of Melvin Denis
Why Utah?
Melvin chose to come to the University Of Utah School Of Medicine because of a favorable interview with a professor on the admissions committee; he subsequently became Melvin's mentor in graduate school.
On December 12, 2004, Melvin was killed in an avalance in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Melvin was a colleague, collaborator, student, teacher and friend to the University of Utah Health Science Center and Medical School Community.
"Melvin was a senior member of the MD/PhD Program and was respected and admired with affection by its students, faculty and staff because of his commitment and tenacity and also because of the joy that he brought to the endeavor. For this he was, in all ways, simply one of the best that we have ever known. No community is ever deep or rich enough to lose an individual like Melvin, something made painfully clear by the premature and abrupt natue of this death. His passing touches us all." Guy A. Zimmerman, M.D., December 13, 2004.
Hobbies
Melvin's hobbies included playing softball, mountain biking, fishing, skiing, and making beer.
Research
Melvin's research interest concerned the role of cells of the hemostatic and innate immune systems in vascular inflammation. He studied the ways neutrophils and platelets regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, in response to outside-in signaling events.
Lab Links
Melvin was a member of a research lab headed by Guy A. Zimmerman, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas M. McIntyre, M.D., Ph.D., and Andrew S. Weyrich, Ph.D.
"I feel lost . . . Mel was a great human being. I keep thinking about him. He comes to my mind as the most outgoing, amusing, funny guy I have ever had the pleasure to meet. It is good to remember his smile, but very tough to settle for this great loss. I will try to think that he is out there looking at us smiling . . . a big star shining in the sky or a cloud that becomes beautiful and sweet . . . just to make us happy."
The Melvin Denis Memorial Travel Award
The Annual National MD/PhD Student Conference has established an award in honor of Melvin. For additional information about this award, visit the The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center MSTP Program, the organizers of the Conference.