On Saturday evening January 15, 2022, Dr. Michael A. Kirby of Beaumont, California passed away just shy of his 69th birthday from a battle with cancer. Michael (Mikey) dedicated his life to the service of others through his research and teaching. His impact on the academic and medical world will live on through his contributions for the advancement of science and medicine.
Michael was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Gina; three daughters, Sara, Dana, and Laura; step children Nikki and Jason, as well as 9 grandchildren with another on the way.
Michael was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. With a BA from Arizona State University, he pursued a Ph.D. from the University of California Riverside. Further postdoctoral pursuit of interests in Neuroscience led to his expertise in Developmental Neurobiology and the start of his academic career in 1986 in the Department of Pediatrics at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Michael served on many academic committees and, for 17 years, as the University's Associate Vice-President for Research. His distinguished research activities as a principal- and co-investigator were funded by the National Institute of Health, as well as many other local, national, and international funding agencies. Such, supported over 150 peer-review publications and presentations that were disseminated world-wide. With Associate membership in the Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, he took on extensive research and teaching responsibilities for thousands of students in the healthcare and biomedical professions. This reflected his love for teaching and practical training, a legacy that carries on in many of his students who hold important positions in healthcare professions and in academic positions.
In addition to his love of science and teaching, Michael had a passion for music and deep-sea fishing. Classical music would often accompany him whenever he could make it possible. He practically enjoyed playing the cello, appreciated deep sea fishing trips and would often share the bounty of catches with friends. He was involved in his community and was a member of the Azure Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Sadly, Michael lost his battle with cancer after successfully remaining in remission for over a decade. He fearlessly fought melanoma with the expertise of a problem-solving scientist and was often an emotional supporter for others in their own cancer diagnoses.
While Dr. Michael Kirby will be missed, his legacy will live on through his contributions.
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