In Memoriam

Professor Lionel Fry (*19.03.1933 / †11.01.2021)
Professor Lionel Fry passed away on Monday, the 11th of January 2021. Lionel was a consultant dermatologist at St Mary‘s Hospital, London and Professor of Dermatology at Imperial College, London. He was a first-rate clinician and scientist and  established a productive and highly regarded skin research unit at St Mary’s. It was here that he and his team  made major contributions to the understanding and management of  psoriasis  and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Lionel pioneered the concept that psoriasis is first and foremost an immune-mediated disease, paving the way for subsequent biologic therapy of the condition. He showed that DH is diagnosed by the presence of IgA in the dermal papillae of uninvolved skin and that the skin disease could be managed a strict gluten free diet. After retirement from St Mary’s he continued in private dermatological practice until his late 80s. He leaves a widow (Minne), a son (Michael), and two  daughters (Tessa and Kathy).

Professor Alberto Giannetti (*30.11.1939 / †01.07.2021)
An eminent dermatologist and scientist, Prof. Giannetti contributed to the advancement of our speciality throughout his long and remarkable career, covering the most prestigious roles in national and international organizations of dermatology. Prof. Giannetti was an expert in bullous dermatoses and atopic dermatitis, and would lead the department in the fight against rare diseases, creating a still flourishing school during his twenty-four years as Director. As President of the EDF (2004-2005) he was an influential leader who contributed to the progress and growth of our Academy. In addition, he also directed the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR, 1984-1985), the Italian Society of Dermatology (SIDeMaST, 2003-2007) and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV, 2006-2008).  He was very dedicated to the training of young dermatologists with the aim of generating highly professional specialists, and he was the founder of the Euroderm Excellence Training Course (this year the 18th edition, which is offered to the best residents in Dermato-Venereology throughout Europe.

Professor Malcolm Greaves (*11.11.1933 / †10.01.2021)

Professor Malcolm Greaves a Founding member of EDF passed away on Sunday, the 10th of January 2021. He was appointed to Chair of Dermatology at St John’s Institute of Dermatology in 1975 and was Dean from 1986-1999. A clinician scientist of great intellect his professional activities spanned many aspects of dermatology. Education was a passion and he made a major impact globalising postgraduate education at St John’s. His research covered many aspects of dermatology and included several fundamental discoveries in psoriasis immunotherapy, the pathophysiology of itch, and the autoimmune basis of chronic urticaria. His standing in dermatology was recognized internationally though honorary membership of many national societies and Presidency of several organisations including ESDR. After retirement from St John’s, he worked as a clinician-teacher in Southeast Asia first in Malaysia and then in Singapore before returning to work in the allergy clinic at St John’s into his 80s. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and by his son (Kim) and daughter (Suki) both of whom followed him into medicine.