David J. Mangelsdorf, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Pharmacology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, a visionary scientist who pioneered the once-obscure realm of orphan nuclear receptors (a class of proteins involved in gene regulation) and uncovered key cellular signaling pathways, died Aug. 3 at the age of 67.

His discoveries over the course of 30 years at UT Southwestern were instrumental in advancing the understanding of diabetes, obesity, cancer, alcohol intoxication, and parasitic infections.

An Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dr. Mangelsdorf was also elected to both the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) – rare and distinguished honors that reflect his prolific impact on basic science and clinical applications such as drug development and treatment strategies. His publications remain among the most cited in the field of molecular pharmacology.

“Dr. Mangelsdorf’s passing is an immense and painful loss for his family and friends, our institution, and the broader field of biomedical science,” said Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern. “His work exemplified the spirit of scientific innovation and collaboration at UT Southwestern, and his legacy will live on through the investigators he mentored and the lives improved by his discoveries.”

A cherished member of the UT Southwestern faculty, Dr. Mangelsdorf was best known as “Davo” to his colleagues. His friendly and curious nature fostered significant multidisciplinary studies spanning biochemistry, endocrinology, metabolism, neurology, and infectious diseases.

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