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obituary |
Matt was born in Evanston, Illinois. His early affinity for nature and the outdoors probably contributed to his love of science. He attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, and received his undergraduate education from Oberlin College, where he was awarded a B.A. in 1979, with majors in both Biology and Philosophy. After receiving a Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Virginia in 1985, Matt conducted postdoctoral work with Larry Ewing at The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. In 1990, he became Staff Scientist at the Population Council, and subsequently advanced to Scientist, and then Senior Scientist. He also held joint appointments at The Rockefeller University and at Weil Cornell Medical College.
Matt had recently been exploring the concept of Leydig stem cells, a fitting extension of his focus on the origin and development of Leydig cells in the mammalian testis. In a series of what have become classic papers, he conducted analyses of the development of the adult population of Leydig cells from Leydig cell precursors, demonstrating the sequence of events that occur to form the adult population and the mechanisms by which the sequence is regulated. Along the way, he made the unexpected, but now well-accepted, observation that androgen itself is involved in the differentiation of Leydig cell precursors. He also elucidated the role of LH in the regulation of Leydig cells. Over time, the studies involved morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular methodologies, a hallmark of Matt's scientific style; he always did whatever was necessary to answer questions, not restricting himself to what was comfortable. While continuing to work on Leydig cell development, Matt also studied developmental changes in LH and androgen receptor expression, the differential expression and regulation of steroidogenic enzymes, Leydig cell proliferation and its regulation, the role of paracrine factors (primarily growth factors) in Leydig function, effects of aging and stress on Leydig cells, mechanisms through which reproductive toxicants impact testicular function and puberty, and the role of neonatal hypothyroidism on Leydig cell numbers and function. In all, Matt authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, co-authored a very well known and highly cited book (The Leydig Cell), and contributed about 35 chapters to other publications. His creativity and high level of productivity contributed to his being named the 2000 Young Andrologist by the American Society of Andrology.
Matt was a great mentor, providing inspiration and intellectual stimulus to students and trainees in his laboratory. Over a period of 17 years he mentored 12 students in the Rockefeller University summer high school student program, several returning to his laboratory for a second summer. Students appreciated Matt's patience, his thoughtfulness about what makes "good" science and his high standards for analysis and acceptance of data. In lab meetings, trainees came first—their ideas and thoughts were sought and considered, with Matt summarizing only at the end. These students remember Matt as a great humanitarian, one who was a friend, considered each as an individual, and generously supported not only their careers, but their personal and family goals.
Matt became a member of SSR in 1987, and attended nearly every meeting through 2007. He was an invited speaker at our 2002 annual meeting in Baltimore in a minisymposium entitled Regulation of Steroidogenesis in the Leydig Cell; in 2004 in Vancouver, he chaired the Mahesh Neuroendocrine Minisymposium. Matt was first author, senior author, or co-author of 12 papers published in Biology of Reproduction (BOR) over the past 15 years (see bibliography following). Matt's service to SSR consisted of the following: Board of Reviewing Editors for BOR (2007), Editorial Board of BOR (1999–2003), Chair of Bylaws Committee (1998, 1999), and member of the Program Committee (2002, 2003, 2007). He was a willing, reliable, and exemplary reviewer for BOR. Many in the SSR know that he was also Editor-in-Chief, with Peter Schlegel, of Journal of Andrology, 2002–2007, providing even more service to the community of reproductive biologists in this role. He contributed his organizational skills in many service roles to the American Society for Andrology, and additionally, to the Testis Workshop, which he served as Co-Chair and Chair in 2003 and 2005. For these many roles he was chosen to receive the ASA Distinguished Service Award at the 2008 ASA Annual Meeting.
To all who knew him, Matt was kind and helpful, unfailingly polite and gentle in his personal interactions, always willing to give generously of his time and expertise without expecting anything in return. He was a wonderful, patient teacher and fine mentor. He was highly principled, strong, consistent, and ever thoughtful of others. He had become an outstanding scientific leader who knew how to make hard decisions and to enlist others. He leaves behind his wife, Dianne, as well as his father, brother and sister; our sympathy goes to all of them. Matt will be greatly missed by those of us so fortunate to have been enriched by knowing him.
Warm memories contributed by: Benson Akingbemi, Mary Ann Handel, Michael Holmes, Judith Jansen, Sally Perreault-Darney, Bernard Robaire, Peter Schlegel, and Barry R. Zirkin
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Publications by Matthew Hardy in Biology of Reproduction:
-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Oxidative and Reductive Activities in Rat Leydig Cells during Pubertal Development Biol Reprod 4 1999 60855–860
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