Long-time MSI researcher Professor Franz Halberg (Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Halberg Center for Chronobiology) passed away on June 9, 2013 at age 93. Professor Halberg was a pioneer in the field of chronobiology, the study of how natural biologic cycles affect health and life. He was Principal Investigator of the Halberg-Cornelissen research group at MSI for many years and published dozens of papers containing research that used MSI resources. His colleague, Professor Germaine Cornelissen-Guillaume (Integrative Biology and Physiology, Halberg Center for Chronobiology), took over PI responsibilities recently, but Professor Halberg acted as co-PI and continued to be an active researcher. The group’s current research using MSI involves the effect of circadian rhythms (Professor Halberg is credited with coining the term “circadian”) on heart rate and blood pressure.
An obituary of Professor Halberg is attached. The staff at MSI extended their deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.