Farewell to Folkman

Since the Boston Globe's White Coat Notes health blog reported the news, Folkman's colleagues, patients, and friends—more than 100 people in all—have posted comments, sharing their remembrances in a moving tribute to the physician-researcher...

Andrus professor of pediatric surgery and professor of cell biology M. Judah Folkman, M.D. ’57, died unexpectedly of a heart attack last week at age 74. Folkman, who headed the vascular biology program at the Harvard-affiliated Children's Hospital Boston, devised a new approach to treating cancer: stunting tumors' growth by cutting off their blood supply. Initially controversial, the idea eventually gained acceptance and is embodied in several cancer drugs now on the market.

Since the Boston Globe's White Coat Notes health blog reported the news, Folkman's colleagues, patients, and friends—more than 100 people in all—have posted comments, sharing their remembrances in a moving tribute to the physician-researcher.

Related topics

You might also like

Three Harvard Alumni and a Former Postdoc Named MacArthur Fellows

A labor economist, an organic chemist, a physicist, and a memory researcher were honored with 2026 “genius” grants.

At Harvard’s IOP, Two Views of Diversity Get a Hearing

Professor Cornell William Brooks and Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts hold a lively debate on DEI and Project 2025.

Harvard Graduate Students Union Begins Strike Authorization Vote

Amid contract negotations, two unions are discussing a joint walkout this fall.

Most popular

Crimson Football: Harvard 14, Brown 10

Xaden Benson’s “helmet trick” was the decisive factor in the Ivy opener.

Mindfulness—the unconventional research of psychologist Ellen Langer

Psychologist Ellen Langer's unconventional research. Plus, read about applying mindfulness techniques to eating.

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Explore More From Current Issue

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white suit, seated in a bright, modern room.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex. 

Modern building with large glass windows, surrounded by greenery and pedestrians.

A roundup of University news from the summer of 2026

Portrait of a man in a denim shirt beside a blue book cover for "Gretal and the Great War" featuring an illustration of a leg holding an army helmet..

The Gretel and the Great War author on how the Lampoon derailed his science career—and set him on a literary path.