In Memoriam

In memoriam: Sampath Parthasarathy

ASBMB Today Staff
April 18, 2022

Sampath Parthasarathy, a lipid scientist and cardiovascular researcher at the University of Central Florida, died of pneumonia on Dec. 1, 2020, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology learned recently. He was 73. 

Sampath Parthasarathy

Born Dec. 27, 1947, in India, Parthasarathy earned his Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and was a postdoctoral fellow at Kyoto University in Japan, Duke University and the University of Minneapolis. He held positions at the University of California, San Diego, Emory University, Louisiana State University and Ohio State University before joining the faculty of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in 2011, where he held an endowed chair in cardiovascular sciences and served as the associate dean for research. He was also is an inventor and held an MBA in technology management. 

A recognized expert in lipids, Parthasarathy was credited with the co-discovery, while at UCSD, that oxidized low-density lipoprotein is involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The paper on this finding is one of the most cited in atherosclerosis research. He also studied the beneficial effects of exercise and dietary polyunsaturated fats such as sesame oil. He researched both pro- and antioxidants in the context of multiple inflammatory diseases, including diabetes, endometriosis, Alzheimer’s and Crohn’s, “always approaching scientific challenges from novel (outside-the-box) perspectives, connecting the dots, and finding parallels that were inconspicuous to others,” according to a remembrance in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. 

In addition to being an ASBMB member, Parthsarathy was involved with the American Heart Association, the South Asian Society for Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis and other societies. He served as editor-in-chief of the journal Healthcare, as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Medicinal Food, and on the editorial boards of numerous other journals, including the Journal of Lipid Research. Fondly known as “Dr. Sam,” he mentored more than 300 students, postdocs, clinical residents and junior investigators from around the world.

Parthsarathy was preceded in death by his first wife, Kalyani. He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Raghuveer and Bharath Parthasarathy, and their wives; and five grandchildren.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
ASBMB Today Staff

This article was written by a member or members of the ASBMB Today staff.

Related articles

In memoriam: Gertrude Forte
Courtney Chandler
Remembering Turk and Yamamoto
ASBMB Today Staff
Michael J. O. Wakelam (1955 – 2020)
Valerie B. O’Donnell & Edward A. Dennis

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in People

People highlights or most popular articles

How to run an ASBMB Student Chapter
Interview

How to run an ASBMB Student Chapter

Sept. 27, 2023

A conversation with John Tansey, a professor at Otterbein University and adviser to the winner of the 2023 ASBMB Outstanding Chapter Award.

Top reviewers at ASBMB journals
Observance

Top reviewers at ASBMB journals

Sept. 26, 2023

Editors recognize the heavy-lifters and rising stars during Peer Review Week.

NAS elects new members
Member News

NAS elects new members

Sept. 25, 2023

The National Academy of Sciences recognized these ASBMB members for their distinguished and continued achievements in original scientific research.

In memoriam: Tadashi Inagami
In Memoriam

In memoriam: Tadashi Inagami

Sept. 25, 2023

He was an emeritus professor at Vanderbilt University known for his pioneering research into the causes of hypertension, heart failure and vascular disease.

Meet Sarah O’Connor
Interview

Meet Sarah O’Connor

Sept. 21, 2023

This JBC associate editor scouts the plant kingdom for intriguing pathways and hits the hiking trails in Germany.

Shedding light on Usher syndrome
Health Observance

Shedding light on Usher syndrome

Sept. 16, 2023

On this awareness day, learn about the most common cause of genetic deaf–blindness and those it affects.