Celebrating the life of Dr. David White

d-white-thumb.pngDr. David White, PhD, FRCPath, (1946-2017) devoted his life to fundamental research in transplantation. First in Cambridge, UK, and then in London, Ontario, Dr. White made significant contributions to the development of immunosuppression (cyclosporine), cross-species xenotransplantation, and cell transplant delivery systems. He was a dedicated scientist whose contributions are rightly measured on a global scale. A selection of his papers is available here.

Dr. Bill Wall delivered the eulogy at St. John the Divine Anglican Church (Arva) on June 14, 2017. Dr. Wall related how Dr. White brought the first sample of cyclosporine to London in 1978. “That sample was key, I believe, to Dr. Stiller securing more cyclosporine and conducting in Canada the world’s first randomized trial in kidney patients. The results were as dramatic as expected, and they immediately put our centre on the world map of transplantation before other programs had even started.”

In Boston this September, the International Xenotransplant Association will honour Dr. White as an eminent scientist, recognizing his contributions to the field of xenotransplantation. His family will accept the honour for him – the last of many recognitions for his remarkable achievements.