March 17, 2015: In Memoriam: Paula Pitha-Rowe

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Paula Pitha-Rowe, professor of oncology, molecular biology and genetics, and biology. Paula was an internationally renowned scientist whose research led the way for the development of interferon. As one of the first basic scientists in the comprehensive cancer center at Johns Hopkins and the Department of Biology, she was the 13th female faculty member in the school of medicine to attain the rank of professor, in 1985.

Paula was a worldwide leader in understanding natural cellular responses to infection and the relationship between viruses and cancer. Much of her research focused on the role of antiviral responses in HIV, Kaposi's sarcoma and other cancers.

Her research revealed a crucial role of a family of genes called interferon regulatory factor (IRF) involving antiviral responses and inflammation, which appears to play a role in the initiation of cancer. Using genetically modified mice that were missing a critical component of the immune response, she developed mouse models to further study IRF mechanisms. This work led to clinical advances in vaccines and drug treatments for viral infections associated with cancer.

Paula also identified the ISG15 gene—an inhibitor of a cellular pathway used by HIV-1, the AIDS-causing virus—to produce virus particles and interfere with HIV-1 replication. "Viruses are clever, and many have found a way to limit production of natural defense proteins like ISG15," she said in 2007. She led research of new compounds that promote ISG15 expression as a potential therapy for HIV-1, which has become resistant to existing antiviral drugs. She found that ISG15 might also inhibit replication of other viruses, including Ebola virus disease and influenza.

"Paula was the first full-time research scientist recruited to the nascent cancer program at Johns Hopkins, where she helped steward cancer research with her own work on virology and interferon. The cancer program grew into the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center as she became a mentor and leader," says William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center.

"Paula was not only a scientific colleague; she was also a dear friend. She was one of the first basic scientists in the Cancer Center, and that was also the direction I sought for my career. She approached science in a way that I wanted to, so I looked to her as a role model. In recent years, her discoveries impacted my work as an epigenetics scientist in ways I could never have anticipated. She will be greatly—and for me, very personally—missed," says oncologist Stephen Baylin.

Dr. Pitha-Rowe earned her doctoral degree in 1964 from the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic. Her training included fellowships at the National Research Council in Canada, the Curie Institute in Paris and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. She joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1971. Among her many honors, Dr. Pitha-Rowe was the 2005 recipient of the G.J. Mendel Honorary Medal for Merit in the Biological Sciences. She was an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an honor that recognizes distinguished scientists who have worked to develop the science of its applications.

Paula spent her last days teaching in the Department of Biology's virology course and taking care of her grandchildren—two activities she loved.

The family will hold a private burial. Plans for a memorial service with friends and scientific colleagues will be scheduled later this spring.

Sincerely,

William G. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.
Marion I. Knott Professor and Director
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center