In memoriam — Pavel Hrdina, MD, PhD (1929–2005)

Pavel Hrdina, a founding member of the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CCNP) and former Associate Editor of the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, was born in Uzhorod, Czeckoslovakia (now Slovakia), on Oct. 3, 1929, and passed away in Ottawa on Apr. 20, 2005. He is survived by Judith, his wife of 50 years; his son, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Linda; and 2 grandsons, Adam and Mark. Pavel had an outstanding academic career that started when he was an instructor and medical student at the University of Komensky in Bratislava. After his graduation as a physician in 1955, he pursued both teaching and research at his home university. During that time he completed his doctorate, graduating in 1964 from the Czech Academy of Science in Prague, and became an Associate Professor at the University of Komensky in 1968. His research activities also took him to the Mario Negri Institute of Milan for a research fellowship in 1965 and to the Medical College of Virginia in 1967. The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 prompted Pavel's emigration to Canada, specifically to the University of Ottawa as a Visiting Scientist. That position led in turn to his appointment as a faculty member, and he progressed rapidly to the rank of Full Professor. After Pavel's retirement, his numerous contributions to the university and the scientific community were recognized with the awarding of Professor Emeritus status in 1995. Pavel enjoyed a highly successful teaching and research career. His teaching was appreciated at all levels: by graduate and medical students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists alike. In broad recognition of his academic achievements, he was invited to lecture and present papers on all 5 continents, and in 1990 he was honoured by his peers in the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations for a career dedicated to teaching. Pavel Hrdina was also a prolific author, contributing to about 250 publications, of which over 110 were original papers and 25 were either reviews, book chapters or monographs. He investigated a number of aspects of psychopharmacology, focusing most of his efforts on problems related to brain function and mental health. His most recent significant research contribution led to the identification of a gene related to suicide. Not surprisingly, Pavel was the recipient of many national and international awards for his research. In 1994, he received the Dewan Award from the Ontario Mental Health Foundation for his contributions to research in mental health, and that same year, he was awarded the CCNP Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to neuropsychopharmacology in Canada. In 2003, Pavel was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Hungarian Association of Psychopharmacology. Pavel Hrdina also contributed to the dissemination of knowledge through his participation on the editorial boards of several scholarly journals. He participated in the development and progress of the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, serving as coeditor from 1990 to 2000. He was also coeditor of the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology for many years. Pavel was one of the founding members of the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology in the late 1970s. He was a pivotal pioneer of the CCNP and held a number of directing roles in the College. He was the founding Secretary (1978–1982), then Vice-President (1984–1988), President (1988–1990) and finally Past President (1990–1992). Retirement did not come easy for Pavel. His strong drive to achieve the next goal in his research endeavours and his persistent need to contribute to the community at large lasted to the end of his life. Indeed, Pavel continued to vigorously pursue his research activities as Director of the Neuropharmacology Laboratory at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research and was a valuable mentor to both junior and senior scientists there. Pavel Hrdina lived with us and contributed in many ways to improving the human condition. He served as friend, colleague and collaborator. Pavel was an excellent role model and leaves an enduring mark of excellence and compassion on those fortunate enough to have known him. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered for his thoughtful and balanced approach to life in all its facets.

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