Remembering Victor De Gruttola
Dear Harvard Chan School community,
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Victor De Gruttola, professor of biostatistics, emeritus, and former chair of the Department of Biostatistics, passed away March 18.
Victor was a valued member of the department for more than 50 years, starting as a student in 1972. He is remembered as a cherished mentor, collaborator, and friend to many, as well as a scholar and leader who made a major impact on the theory and practice of statistical science.
He was renowned for his contributions to the development and application of statistical methods in HIV/AIDS research, including on estimating the risk that children of HIV-infected mothers would develop AIDS in the first 10 years of life. He was known as a relationship builder, who worked effectively with collaborators from around the world on studies such as the Botswana Combination Prevention Project, and with leaders and activists from communities affected by the AIDS epidemic.
Victor received a prestigious first grant award from the National Institutes of Health in 1989 for his work on statistical modeling of the progression of HIV infection. The project was continuously funded for 17 years on the original grant, and one year received an NIH merit award. He was a former director of the Statistical and Data Analysis Center of the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group, served on the Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and worked on projections of AIDS incidence using data from the New York City Health Department.
Victor earned master of science degrees in 1974 and 1978, and a doctor of science in 1986, all at Harvard Chan School. He then completed a postdoctoral research fellowship, during which he focused on the AIDS epidemic. He brought this public health crisis to the attention of his colleagues and encouraged the department to take a leadership role by coordinating clinical trials and working with biostatisticians, physicians, and epidemiologists on tracking the epidemic in the U.S. and globally.
He joined the Harvard Chan faculty in 1987 and was promoted to full professor in 1996. He served as chair from 2009-2014 and became emeritus in 2023. He earned the Department’s Lagakos Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015 in recognition of his leadership in HIV/AIDS research, his achievements and innovation in statistical methodology, and his leadership and service to the department.
“Victor did his job as chair with an unfailing sense of mission, unselfish dedication, a keen empathy for members of the department, and a strong, broad, and articulate scientific vision. His vision moved the department toward a modern and multifaceted definition of the role that quantitative sciences can play in public health and moved the PhD program back to the top of the national rankings after a long hiatus,” said Giovanni Parmigiani, professor of biostatistics and a long-time colleague.
During a symposium held in his honor in 2023 by the Department of Biostatistics, colleagues and former students recalled Victor’s infectious curiosity about a wide variety of subjects, his belief that statisticians must also be scientists, and his commitment to addressing issues of concern to vulnerable populations.
“His passion was fueled, and would in turn enrich, his deep interest for the human condition. His commitment to mitigate suffering and injustice was profound,” added Parmigiani.
“Many of us turned to him for his judgment on a broad range of issues and were shaped by his example,” said JP Onnela, professor of biostatistics and chair of the department. “His impact on our community is deep and lasting, and he will be remembered for his generosity, passion, and integrity.”
Victor is survived by his partner of many years, Robert Litwack, his sister and brother-in-law Paula and Scott Aaronson, a niece and nephew, and two great-nephews.
We will share details on a memorial event as they become available.
Sincerely,
Andrea
Andrea Baccarelli, MD, PhD
Dean of the Faculty