In Memoriam: Carl Cotman, PhD

Carl Cotman, PhD, distinguished professor, emeritus, Departments of Neurology (Medicine) and Neurobiology and Behavior (Biological Sciences) died on August 5, 2024. Professor Cotman was an early and constant leading light in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. 

Professor Cotman earned a PhD in Biochemistry at Indiana University before starting his career at UC Irvine in 1968. In 1995, he served as the Founding Director of the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, now UCI MIND, which is Orange County's only state and federally funded Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

Professor Cotman's work aimed to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. His research focused on understanding the mechanisms that cause degeneration in Alzheimer's disease and the development of interventions to promote successful aging. Throughout his career, Professor Cotman authored or co-authored nine books and nearly 700 articles and earned a wide range of honors and distinctions including a lifetime achievement award from the Alzheimer's Association's most significant conference.

Key in building UCI’s world-class stature, Dr. Cotman inspired researchers around the globe, and will be missed by his professional colleagues worldwide. On behalf of the entire UCI community, we send our condolences to Professor Cotman's family and friends.