We are sad to announce the passing of Dr. Alan Hofmann at the age of 90. Alan was a giant in the field of gastroenterology and a long member of the UC San Diego Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Dr. Hofmann was born and grew up in Baltimore, MD, and received his AB and MD degrees from Johns Hopkins University. He then was a medical intern and resident at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York. In 1957, Alan joined the National Heart Institute at the NIH as a Clinical Associate where he began studying fat digestion and micellar solubilization. From 1959 to 1961, he worked with Bengt Borgström at the University of Lund, Sweden. After that, he continued his research at Rockefeller University in New York City. In 1966, he joined the Mayo Clinic to establish a clinically oriented gastrointestinal research unit. In 1977, he was recruited to the University of California, San Diego by then Division Chief Henry Wheeler, where he was Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology (Emeritus since 2002).
He made many advances in the chemistry and biology of bile acids, helping to promote the understanding and treatment of various liver, biliary and digestive diseases. His research included studying lipid digestion and absorption, bile acid evolution, chemistry of bile secretion, cholelithiasis, biliary physiology and pharmacology, and the diagnosis and treatment of various digestive and hepatobiliary diseases. He has many sentinel findings for physiology research. He published over 500 articles, with his most highly cited publications about the liver bile salt export pump, the first description of gallstone dissolution by bile acid therapy, the properties of bile salts, and the mechanisms whereby bile acids produce secretion in the colon.
Alan served as President of the American Association of for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD). He received many national and international awards recognizing his achievements. The American Gastroenterological Association awarded Alan with the William Beaumont Prize in 1979, and the Friedenwald Medal in 1994. He also received the University of California Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research.
Dr. Hofmann had a genuine desire to mentor. He mentored a generation of clinical and basic scientists all over the world. Even in retirement, his energy and enthusiasm was contagious. His passing represents a loss to an enormous community, many of whom continue to study bile acids and their new connections with cell signaling, the microbiome, and bariatric surgery for obesity. Alan’s influence in the field of liver diseases can be gauged as he was fondly referred to as “the father of bile acids.”
He is survived by his second wife, Heli, two daughters, Anthea Philips and Cecilia McKenzie, from his first marriage, two stepdaughters, and five grandchildren.
Contributions in his honor should be made to the
Multiple System Atrophy Coalition and condolences can be sent to
HeliHofmann@gmail.com.