Dr. Frank Plummer has died, just after celebrating 40th anniversary of ground-breaking HIV research in Africa. Headed @PHAC_GC NML lab for years. He recently got experimental brain surgery to fight alcoholism. No confirmed cause of death. cbc.ca/news/canada/ma… @umanitoba
@PHAC_GC @umanitoba Excerpts of staff note from NML head Matthew Gilmour: Frank passed away in Kenya, where he had just enjoyed time on safari with his wife Jo Kennelly and his stepdaughter, Imogen. He was in Nairobi to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the UNairobi and @umanitoba Partnership. 2/6
Frank led world-changing breakthroughs in HIV prevention. The most noteworthy breakthrough that he and his team made was the finding of female sex-workers who were resistant to HIV. Frank had just had a joyful reunion with many of them a couple days before his passing. 3/6
Frank was NML’s Scientific Director General from 2000-2014. His wisdom and calm demeanor saw us thrive in the face of challenges like SARS, H1N1, and Listeria. His support saw NML make breakthroughs like the Ebola vaccine. @PHAC_GC 4/6
Frank was bigger than life. His physical presence and intelligence contradicted the fact that he was actually a fairly quiet and shy guy. Science will continue to build on his accomplishments and improve public health in the world for many years to come. 5/6
Someone that saw Frank the day before he passed, noted that he had said that he was the happiest he had been in 30 years. 6/6
This tribute from @umanitoba pres David Barnard: The work of Dr. Plummer has had a tremendous impact on global public health, and he was a prime example of dedication and passion in one’s profession. 1/2
More from David Barnard: He was admired and regarded highly by academics and researchers around the world, and his legacy of seeking to develop an HIV vaccine remains one of the landmarks of infectious disease prevention. 2/2
From colleague Dr. Allan Ronald, in Kenya for 40th anniversary of their work together: He was so hopeful that he was on the path that would end with discovery of the HIV vaccine- the road he had started down almost 30 years ago. Our world has lost someone who won’t be replaced.
Renowned researcher Dr. Henry Friesen says Frank Plummer was "a legend in his own time" who made a major impact on global public health through his work on HIV, his recruitment of Ebola scientists to NML, and his team's work on #coronavirus, which is still in play today. @PHAC_GC
