Gustavo A. Arias-Pinilla, MBBS, MSc, PhD, an Associate member of the AACR, died April 21, 2022, at the age of 33.
Arias-Pinilla was born in Bogota, Colombia, on October 21, 1988. He earned his medical degree from Fundacion Universitaria Juan N. Corpas in Colombia in 2009 and his MSc in cancer biology from Kingston University in London in 2012. He earned his PhD from Kingston in 2017, completing a dissertation on the development and characterization of novel monoclonal antibodies against human pancreatic cancer cells for use in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Most recently, he held positions as a pancreatic cancer researcher at Kingston and an academic clinical fellow in Medical Oncology at The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
Arias-Pinilla developed several novel antibodies against overexpressed cell surface antigens for use in basic research, diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic cancer. Two of the antibodies have been licensed to Merck for use in cancer research. The others are undergoing further study to evaluate their potential use in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Arias-Pinilla was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2006. He achieved tremendous success in the lab and as a mentor to postgraduate students even as he underwent treatments. Kingston University plans to establish a postgraduate award in his memory.
In 2012, Arias-Pinilla became a member of the AACR, and became involved with AACR groups Minorities in Cancer Research, the Cancer Immunology Working Group, and the Tumor Microenvironment Working Group.
Leave your remembrance of Dr. Arias-Pinilla below.
Gustavo is one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. Kind, responsible and good listener. Always willing to help people and colleagues. He will be always remembered as a good medical doctor but also as I magnificent human being. Gustavo undoubtedly is an inspiration to whom decide to either be a great scientist or fellow. Rest in peace
Siempre continuarás en nuestros corazones y solo nos queda una inmensa gratitud por tus grandes aportes y sacrificios desinteresados en favor de la humanidad
Fue un héroe, un gran luchador. Sus recuerdos permanecerán en nuestros corazones. Dedicó su vida a ser un hijo ejemplar. Lleno de lindas virtudes. Gracias a él se podrán salvar muchas vidas en el futuro por su gran labor en la investigación médica.
Mi gustavito vuela muy alto. Qué nuestro señor te tiene en su presencia. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
A huge loss not only to the scientific world but also to those who knew him. Gustavo, your kindness, good-spirit and smile will continue to live on in your memory. You are dearly missed but will never be forgotten. You have touched the heart of many. May you Rest in Peace Dr Gustavo Arias-Pinilla.
Besides being a very successful and talented researcher, Dr. Arias-Pinilla was also a very noble and good-hearted human being - which is a true rarity. All who knew him cherish memories of his kindness and good spirit. He will be missed.
Gustavo was a brilliant, highly motivated, strong, inspirational, kind, modest and funny individual, early-career scientist and physician. Everyone who met and knew Gustavo, loved this young scientist and doctor who was originally from Columbia. Despite having lymphoma, he worked tirelessly on his PhD project and as a postdoctoral fellow on discovery of overexpressed cell surface antigens and development of new monoclonal antibodies for use in the diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic cancer.
Gustavo’s passing represents a great loss and no words can describe it. He will be dearly missed by me, his University’s friends, my colleagues and anyone who met and knew Gustavo. Gustavo will not be forgotten, he will be in our hearts forever.