Marvin A. Karasek

1931 - 2015

Marvin A. Karasek
March 8,1931 - June 28, 2015
Resident of Palo Alto
Professor Emeritus Marvin "Marv" A. Karasek, PhD, died June 28, Palo Alto. He was 84.
Marv was born in Chicago on March 8, 1931. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and additional degrees from UC Berkeley.
Marv joined Stanford's Department of Dermatology as a faculty member in 1961 as an assistant professor after finishing his postdoctoral studies in viral research in Germany. Marv was recommended to the chair of the department, Eugene M. Farber, MD, by Arthur Kornberg, MD, the chair of the Department of Biochemistry and winner of the 1959 Nobel Prize for illuminating how DNA is built. Dr. Kornberg believed that Stanford needed a better program in developmental dermatology and felt that Marv was the person to develop the program.
When Marv came to Stanford there was very little fundamental and basic science being done in dermatology and bringing a PhD into a clinical department of medical doctors was a rare step. With Marv's guidance the program has gone on to become world-famous, known for insightful research by top scientists into the biology of skin and in particular, the epidemiology and treatment of psoriasis.
Marv is survived by his sister, Val Stuckey , brother in law, Pete Stuckey, nieces Barb Lewczyk, Janet Cooper, and nephew Peter M. Stuckey.
In lieu of flowers, the family for Dr. Marvin A. Karasek requests that memorial donations be made to Stanford University and directed to the Marvin A. Karasek Fund. Gifts may be mailed to: Stanford University, Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309