Jean Marie Gudas

1953 - 2018

April 13, 1953 - March 17, 2018 Jean Marie Gudas passed away from ovarian cancer on March 17, 2018 at age 64 in her Los Angeles home, where her companion, siblings and other family members had been with her in the last weeks of her life. Ironically, Jean was a scientist whose research was focused almost exclusively on cancer, especially melanoma, breast, bladder, prostate and ovarian cancers. She continued to work intensively throughout her three years of cancer treatment, often attending cancer conferences and preparing presentations of the latest research for her doctors. Jean loved applying science to improve the lives of others. Over a career spanning 32 years, she published more than 100 articles or patents. Jean pioneered work on some of the most innovative cancer biology and therapies including human antibodies and antibody-drug combinations. She published early work on unique ways that cancers develop that others later used to develop successful drug therapies. Her contributions resulted in the progression of many drug candidates to clinical trials. Jean was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of Bernadette (Svagzdys) Gudas and the late Walter Gudas. She was raised in Coventry, Rhode Island. She earned a BS in Microbiology and Chemistry at the University of Rhode Island, a Master's in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at the University of California LosAngeles. She began her career at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and later worked at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Moving to California in the mid-1990s, she worked for Amgen, and later for a series of biotechnology startups including Abgenix, ImaginAb, Agensys and Kite Pharma. A superb athlete, Jean ran the Los Angeles Marathon 11 times and completed dozens of other long-distance events and charity runs. She loved mountain biking and also rode her street bike to work whenever possible. Yoga, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking and backpacking were all part of her leisure activities. In her quest for adventure, Jean traveled with hiking groups to Nepal and Bhutan and also explored Thailand and many areas of Europe, Canada and South America. Jean is survived by her mother Bernadette (Svagzdys) Gudas of Greenville, RI, her longtime companion Seth Pauker of San Diego, siblings Tom Gudas (Karen) of Coventry, RI, David Gudas (Pauline) of Lewiston, ME, Carol St. Onge (Stephen) of West Greenwich, RI, and Marilyn Gudas of Exeter, RI. She is also survived by six nieces and nephews, and a great-niece and great-nephew. Services will be held in both Rhode Island and in California. Rhode Island services will be held on April 25 at 11am EST at Saints John & Paul Church, 341 South Main Street, Coventry, RI, with a reception to follow at the Anthony Polish National Alliance Lodge, 15 Meeting Street Coventry, RI. California services will be held on May 5 and will be private. For information on the California services, contact Amber Gudas at jgudasmemorial@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Clearity Foundation, 434 West Cedar Street, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101.