Ferid Murad
Sept. 14, 1936-Sept. 4, 2023
Menlo Park, California
The celebrated life and achievements of Dr. Ferid Murad, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, pharmacologist, and physician who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Murad passed peacefully at his home in Menlo Park on September 4, 2023.
Dr. Murad was born in Whiting, Indiana, in 1936 to an Albanian immigrant father and an American mother. He grew up working in his family's restaurant, which instilled in him a strong work ethic. He was a Rector Scholar at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he graduated in 1958. He then went on to earn his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After completing his internship and residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Murad joined the faculty of the University of Virginia School of Medicine remaining there until 1981.He continued his research at Stanford University where he was also the Acting Chairman of Medicine from 1986-88; and University of Texas-Houston as the Chairman of Integrative Biology, Pharmacology and Physiology, as well as the Director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine. Followed by being a faculty member at George Washington University before returning to Stanford’s Palo Alto Veterans Hospital.
In the early 1970s, Dr. Murad began his pioneering research on the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the cardiovascular system. NO is a gas that had previously been thought to be inert, but Dr. Murad discovered that it plays a critical role in relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. This discovery led to the development of new drugs for the treatment of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, and it earned Dr. Murad the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1998.
Dr. Murad's research continued until his passing and has had a profound impact on the medical community and has improved the lives of millions of people around the world. His work has helped to save lives and improve the quality of life for people with heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, COPD, sickle cell disease, renal failure, and erectile dysfunction. It has also led to the development of new treatments for cancer, stroke, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Murad was also a dedicated teacher and mentor. He trained countless students (from around the globe) and colleagues, and he was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise. He was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Dr. Murad was a true pioneer in the field of cardiovascular medicine, and his work will continue to benefit patients for generations to come. He was a true visionary and a dedicated physician, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals for years to come.
Tags: teacher/educator
