Dr. Felix Milgrom, pioneering immunologist, UB faculty member

Dr. Felix Milgrom, 87, of Snyder, internationally known immunologist and professor emeritus at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, died Sept. 2 in Buffalo General Hospital.

Born in Poland, Milgrom received a medical degree in 1946 and a Docent degree in 1951, both from the School of Medicine at the University of Wroclaw, Poland.

He joined the faculty of the Department of Microbiology at the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 1958. He was chair of the department now known as the Department of Microbiology and Immunology from 1967 to 1985 and co-founded the Center for Immunology, now the internationally known Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology.

He was known for pioneering research in the fields of human organ transplantation and autoimmunity, including developing a simple test for syphilis.

Mr. Milgrom authored or co-authored more than 400 scientific publications and mentored about 100 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

He received honorary doctorates from several universities including the University of Vienna in Austria, the University of Lund in Sweden and the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. His various awards include the Cross of Merit presented by the Republic of Poland, and the Gift of Life Award from the National Kidney Foundation of Western New York.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Halina, of Snyder; two sons, Drs. Henry Milgrom of Denver, Colo. and Martin Milgrom, of Indianapolis, Ind.; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at UB in October.