Ferdinando (Nando) Dianzani (1932–2012)

W ith the death of Nando Dianzani last April, the ISICR lost one of its most enthusiastic and effective supporters and, at the same time, for many of its members, a valued friend and scientific colleague. Nando was born in Grosseto in 1932. He grew up in Siena, receiving his degree in Medicine at its university in 1959. He undertook further training in Hygiene at Naples in 1963. Subsequently, Nando worked in the laboratory of Sam Baron at NIH, returning to Naples upon receiving an appointment as a Professor of Microbiology in 1965. In 1968 he became a Professor of Virology at the same institution. From 1970 to 1976, he served as a Professor at the University of Turin. He left that position to take an appointment as a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, returning to Italy in 1982 to become Professor of Virology and Director of the Virology Institute at the University of Rome “La Sapienza.” From 1995 to 2007, he served as Professor and Dean at the University Campus Bio Medico of the Rome Medical School. Nando was frequently employed as an advisor on health matters for the Italian government and the City of Rome.

During his active academic career, Nando carried out extensive research in interferon studies, virology, and immunology, publishing more than 300 papers, many in first-line journals, and serving on the editorial boards of numerous journals. He was one of the founding members of JICR and made valuable contributions to this journal as section Editor, Associate Editor and author. He was a member of The Italian National Institute of Health, and The Italian National AIDS Society. His contributions to ISICR are noteworthy. He served as ISICR President in 1990–1, and received its Honorary Member award in 1994. While Nando had no official designation as such, he also was “Our Man in Europe” for the ISICR, undertaking numerous activities that assisted the operation of the organization.

I first met Nando when he was a visiting scientist at NIH. I had come to Baron's lab to pick up a reagent, and when we were introduced, and I found out where he came from, I asked him a question about a book on the early Renaissance I was reading. Nando immediately launched into a learned exposition on 13th and 14th century Italy, which certainly settled any questions anyone might have on the subject. This was the first of a number of stimulating conversations we had over the years on many aspects of both science and intellectual history. Nando was also a connoisseur of art, possessing a museum quality collection of antiquities. He was truly, in every sense, a Renaissance man.

Nando is survived by his lovely wife of more than 50 years, Giuliana, his daughter, Caterina, and his son, Lorenzo.