Aaron J. Shatkin (1934–2012)

Abstract

On June 4, 2012, the scientific community lost Aaron J. Shatkin, a brilliant scientist, an outstanding mentor, and a truly compassionate human being who touched the lives of his numerous friends and colleagues around the world, including myself. He gallantly fought cancer with his characteristic scientific curiosity and insight, but accepted the ultimate with grace while meticulously carrying out his administrative and scientific investigations, making and receiving phone calls right up to the end. Aaron remains one of a rare breed of scientists who never engaged himself to “do” science but rather to enjoy the excitement of unraveling the complexities of scientific processes. I am extremely fortunate to have joined him as a member of his laboratory in 1969, subsequently remaining as a colleague and collaborator for the next 16 years at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology (RIMB) in Nutley, New Jersey. I had the privilege of witnessing the inner workings of his mind, his approach to solving scientific problems, and more importantly his way of mentoring associates with enthusiasm and compassion. It was during this time, in 1975, that Aaron made his landmark discovery of a unique cap structure in the 5′-end of reovirus mRNAs, which has had a profound impact on our understanding of the biogenesis of mRNA. Aaron J. Shatkin. Aaron received his undergraduate degree summa cum laude with a major in chemistry in 1956 from Bowdoin College, a renowned liberal arts college in Maine. Years later in 1979, he was recognized by Bowdoin as one of 10 illustrious alumni and Bowdoin conferred on him the Doctor of Science degree. He received his PhD in 1961 under the mentorship of the …