Valeri Alexei Filippov PhD

Valery (Valeri) Filippov was born in 1956 in the far north of Russia, in the Komi Republic. His parents, Alexei and Nina, worked in the administration of a local coal mine. From childhood, Valery was curious and liked playing with his older brother, Vladimir, and his classmates.

In 1973, Valery moved far from home to Siberia and entered the Department of Chemistry at Novosibirsk State University. There he met Masha. They married and had their first daughter in 1976. After graduation, Masha and Valery stayed in Novosibirsk, beginning their careers as young scientists in research institutes. Their family grew with the birth of their second daughter in 1982. Valery earned his PhD in Genetics in 1993.

In 1995, they both came to the United States as postdoctoral researchers at the University of California, Riverside. Valery later joined the laboratory of Dr. Duerksen-Hughes at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, where he worked for almost 20 years alongside his beloved wife until her passing in 2018. His research interests spanned across many important topics, such as cancer biology, molecular medicine, and epigenetics.

Valery and Masha built a wonderful family, and their love inspired everyone around them. From the time they met, they were inseparable, living and working side by side. Valery deeply loved and cared about his two daughters and three grandchildren, and he showed every day what it meant to be a selfless and caring husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and friend. His life left a lasting mark on the people who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Cypress Chapel, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354, on May 26, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Reception will be held at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Cypress Chapel Reception Room, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354, on May 26, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.