It is with great sadness that we share the news that Fred Goldberg, Professor Emeritus of Cell Biology, passed away on April 18, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. 

Fred joined the HMS faculty as an Assistant Professor of Physiology in 1969, well before the Cell Biology department even existed. Fred’s faculty title would evolve into Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology in 1988 and then to Professor of Cell Biology in 1993, when the Department of Cell Biology was created. Indeed, his historical knowledge of the department and HMS was truly unparalleled!

Fred was honored numerous times over the years for his pioneering research in the field of protein degradation, including the discoveries of the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway and ATP-dependent proteases. His research, which initiated the field of protein quality control, ultimately resulted in the development of proteasome inhibitors, including bortezomib/Velcade, which is used worldwide to treat multiple myeloma. 

Fred was tremendously devoted to trainees, the Cell Biology department, and HMS, so much so that he and his wife Joan endowed the Cell Biology Education and Fellowship Fund in 2018. This generous gift is intended to support a range of educational activities, including symposia and special lectures. Additionally, their gift provides funding each year for 2 postdoctoral fellowships, in perpetuity. Since 2021, five Cell Biology postdoctoral fellows have benefited from this wonderful fund. 

Fred will be remembered by our community as a warm and caring scientist, educator, mentor, and friend, who was always ready with astute and discerning research questions, along with amusing anecdotes and clever poetry.