Professor Ivan Hirsch has passed away
Professor Ivan Hirsch, RNDr., CSc., passed away at the age of 79 (shortly before his 80th birthday). He was Emeritus Professor at the Department of Genetics and Microbiology and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Professor Hirsch headed the Department of Genetics and Microbiology from 2016 to 2019. He will remain in the memories and hearts of many of us.
Dear colleagues,
It is with great sadness that we share some very somber news during this pre-Christmas season. Professor Ivan Hirsch, RNDr., CSc., has passed away at the age of 79, shortly before his 80th birthday. He was Emeritus Professor at the Department of Genetics and Microbiology and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. From 2016 to 2019, Professor Hirsch served as the Head of the Department of Genetics and Microbiology.
Before returning to his alma mater, he spent 30 years in France at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). After three years at INSERM, Professor Hirsch earned the independent position of "Directeur de recherche" in the "Retroviruses and Associated Diseases" department—a truly exceptional achievement within the highly competitive landscape of French science.
He later became the Scientific Director at the Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM). Following his return to the Czech Republic in 2013, he remained Emeritus Research Director at INSERM until 2018. Professor Hirsch’s research initially focused on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in relation to malignancies of the female anogenital tract; he later concentrated on elucidating the latency of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). More recently, he investigated host innate and adaptive immunity to hepatitis C and B virus infections.
Professor Hirsch leaves behind a significant scientific legacy. Many younger colleagues had the privilege of learning from his vast knowledge, which he shared with great kindness and selflessness. He will be deeply missed.
Source: Faculty of Science, Charles University
