Robin Scott Fisher, an internationally renowned UCLA neuroscientist and anatomist, passed away on November 11, 2013, in Philadelphia due to a heart attack. He was 61.
Throughout his illustrious career, Fisher made seminal contributions to our understanding of the development and function of the central nervous system. At the time of his passing, he was serving as a visiting professor of cell and developmental biology at the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, alongside his roles as a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences and neurobiology at UCLA.
Fisher was an exemplary faculty member, leaving a lasting impact on the UCLA community. He served as associate dean of the Graduate Division for 20 years and was actively involved in the fellowship and support section, working closely with postdoctoral fellows under Claudia Mitchell-Kerman, the then vice chancellor and dean of the division. Fisher’s dedication extended to his extensive involvement in the UCLA Academic Senate, where he held positions such as parliamentarian and divisional officer of the Legislative Assembly.
He received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 1979 and joined the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA shortly after completing his postdoctoral training at Purdue University. Fisher’s early research focused on the cellular anatomy of the basal ganglia, exploring their role in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. In later years, he shifted his expertise to cortical development, co-authoring numerous publications and contributing significantly to the field.
Fisher was deeply committed to his students, striving not only to prepare them for medical careers but also to instill in them a profound intellectual curiosity. His dedication to teaching earned him recognition and awards for excellence in anatomy and neuroanatomy instruction. His vibrant personality, humor, and vast knowledge left a lasting impression on his students, colleagues, and friends.
Robin Scott Fisher is survived by his wife, Carrie. He graduated from Peebles High School in 1970 and rests in peace at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Peebles, Ohio.
