In Memoriam: Joseph D. Brain

Joe's research was groundbreaking, particularly in understanding how air pollutants are delivered and cleared from the lungs.Joe's doctoral thesis was titled Clearance of Particles from the Lungs: Alveolar Macrophages and Mucus Transport.It portended his research career in the deposition and clearance of aerosol particles in the lungs, the effects of aerosols in environmental and occupational lung disease, and their use in drug delivery.His scientific achievements in lung biology made him a magnet for hundreds of trainees and collaborators who passed through his lab.Beyond providing research opportunities, Joe had a gift for facilitating connections between people.He had an uncanny ability to find what two people might have in common-a shared research interest, children of the same age, or perhaps a love of music.He would introduce them, and, more often than not, a lifelong bond was forged.In this way Joe nurtured a vibrant network of fellow scientists and friends across the globe.This attentiveness to the lives of the people around him reflects Joe's humanity, which played out in all aspects of his life.