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John Adrian Sweeney, PhD
John Adrian Sweeney, PhD
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John Sweeney, PhD Obituary
Born in Cincinnati, OH, John completed undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati and Tel Aviv University, Israel, before receiving his PhD in clinical psychology from Syracuse University. Postgraduate training was conducted at New York Hospital and Cornell University Medical College in NY. Dr. Sweeney was a renowned expert in neurocognition and neuroimaging. His pioneering work led to a deeper understanding of how to enhance cognitive abilities and improve the lives of individuals with schizophrenia, mood disorders, Fragile X and autism.
A true mentor and man of the world, Dr. Sweeney served as Adjunct Prof. in the Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience at University of Cincinnati, OH and was Visiting Prof. in Radiology, Sichuan University Chengdu, PRC. He previously held faculty positions at Cornell University Medical College; University of Pittsburgh; University of Illinois, where he was founding director of the Center for Cognitive Medicine; University of Texas Southwestern; Bond University and NSW both of Australia; and University of Muenster, Germany.
Since 1987, Dr. Sweeney's research has been continuously supported by the National Institute of Health with close to $75M in funding. As a prolific investigator, he authored over 1,100 articles, book chapters, reviews and abstracts. He was a recipient of an Alexander Von Humbolt Research Award in Germany.
In his free time, John enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Marilynn, when away from their Pennsylvania and Florida homes. In the world of science, Dr. Sweeney was a luminary. When confronted with a complex problem or a finding that seemed counter to prevailing beliefs, he had an uncanny knack for wrestling with it and then figuring out how it fit into understanding the illness. His vast knowledge and intellect were astonishing. His gentle and affable nature as well as his generosity and humor all made him a cherished colleague, scientist, mentor, husband, family member and friend. John will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Dr. Sweeney's funeral was held in Chengdu on Sept. 18, 2023. A memorial service is being planned in Pittsburgh, PA, with details to be announced.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tin T Khine
October 12, 2023
This is the daunting picture of Dr. Sweeney referenced by a couple of eulogists at the celebration of Dr. Sweeney's remarkable life. Thankfully, I saw that photo only after a few years I started working for him and the interview went well :) He did not speak that fast during my interview probably because I am not a native English speaker. I still remember he left me a voice message about the job offer in his very powerful voice "Hi Tin! This is John Sweeney calling from the Center for Cognitive Medicine at UIC ....". A friend of mine was with me when I played his voice message on my home phone and she commented "Your boss sounds scary" :) but he was the opposite for the whole 13 years at UIC and UTSW when I worked directly under his supervision. I miss those times when I always had job satisfaction and felt accomplished regardless of my title and/or salary. He was the best boss/mentor for me and many others and he will continue to hold a special space the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him and learn from him.
Hengyi Cao
October 7, 2023
I met John a few years ago during a conference, where he was the chair of a symposium and I was a presenter. That was the first time and unfortunately, also the last time I met him in person. Just a week before his passing, we emailed each other and discussed that we could possibly meet again this December at ACNP. It was an extremely shocking time when I heard this disaster news a week after. John was such a great person, inspiring, supportive, modest, and easygoing. I will always remember his help and advices on my research and career development. Rest in peace, John - will miss you forever.
Steve Ashbrock
October 4, 2023
My comments may shrink in relation to those of John's many professional associates that outline John's stellar career , but I offer my condolences to family and all here with the passing of my friend and classmate John Sweeney (Moeller HS 1970) . Fond remembrances of a significant time in our lives: Speech and Debate, It's Academic, the Crusader newspaper, Dittoed homework for Bro. Clark, trips to Cleveland, Trip of the Steves, John and Don Fritz to Rhode Island that included for John first legal Manhattan in Manhattan, Room mates at Terrace that set up a nerdy Psychology student on the path to esteemed professional. Rest in Peace. Steve Ashbrock
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Betty and Bill Sheets
October 2, 2023
Losing a special friend, especially one as vital as John, is incomprehensible. Our hearts are broken. Thankfully, we were privileged to spend a memorable week with John and Marilynn this summer at the lake house. John enriched our lives with his vast knowledge and humble, caring attitude. We are blessed to have had this extraordinary relationship and will treasure the memories.
Libby Sloan
October 1, 2023
I am in awe reading all the wonderful things said about John from his fellow scientists and mentees. I knew John on a completely different level. I am a gardener in the Florida residence where Marilyn and John moved in 2020. I was working next to the pool one day and John popped out of the swimming pool and asked if I needed a neophyte gardener as a volunteer. He was always ready to help and I was thrilled. We shall plant a lemon tree in your memory, John. You will be missed.
Lusi Zhang
September 29, 2023
In loving memory of Dr. Sweeney, a shining beacon of inspiration to young scientists, including myself, who, though never graced with the opportunity to meet him in person, were profoundly motivated to pursue a path of multicultural scientific inquiry.
Sunil Shrestha
September 28, 2023
I knew Dr. Sweeney since 2005 when I started working at Center for Cognitive Medicine, UIC. I remember him as an incredibly compassionate, a wonderful person with a beautiful soul. He had just written another recommendation letter for me for my new job just a couple months ago. I could not believe that he is no more with us. It was too early and sudden. I recalled him once telling me about a decade ago that he would consider himself as the happiest person if I could leave this world without suffering in a hospital bed for a long time. Me an my family are very thankful to your help for such long time and will always miss you. Our deepest condolences to Marilynn.
Lu Lu
September 28, 2023
Lu Lu
September 28, 2023
Lu Lu
September 28, 2023
Lu Lu
September 28, 2023
Lu Lu
September 28, 2023
Lu Lu
September 28, 2023
John is really a light in my life, and i really appreciate the oppertunity to know him and become his student and friend. We started to know each other in 2016 when i was a second year master student of Huaxi Magnetic Resonance Research Center and he was the visiting professor of our center. By working on the papers and having lunch and dinners together, we gradually know each other more and more and became the BFF. We traveled to Yunnan and spent a week together in fall of 2018 where i helped him know more about Chinese culture, history, and food and he helped us learn more about beer as an Irish descent. With his help, i then got the oppertunity to study in University of Cincinnati and was invited to spend a week in his lake house in fall of 2018. His wife, Marilynn, took this photo for us in their lake house because that day was Chinese teacher'day of 2018. He teached me kayak in the lake everyday while he fell into the water one day. I was very lucky to get the third oppertunity to travel with him together for 2 weeks from Cincinnati to LA in fall of 2022, where he got the oppertunity to help me know more about American culture, history, food, and etc. It was the best journey that i ever had, not only because the beutiful viewing of the western US but also because we knew much more about each other and had lots of fun and interesting stories together including the "Lulu Sweeney" during the trip. We are both multi-culture experiencer and have talked about the cultural differences in science, economy, politics, love, marriage, wedding, funeral, and etc, but i never know that we have to experience Chinese funeal in this way-i prepared it for you. If this is the last lesson you want to give me, i hope you like my homework-the Chinese funeral service that i prepared for you. Looking forward to seeing you again if there is an afterlife.
Yan Wang
September 27, 2023
It has been seven years since I first met John in 2016 when I started my postgraduate studies. He has been a great help to me in my student life. John is an excellent mentor, generous, talkative, humorous, patient and enthusiastic. He patiently guided us in our scientific research. I'm sorry we haven't seen each other since my graduation, but I will miss you!
Yan Wang
September 27, 2023
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Zhiyun Jia q
September 27, 2023
As early as 2014, with the assistance of John, we began collaborating to publish articles in the Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience. In the following ten years of acquaintance, John provided me and our team with tremendous assistance. We had a total of 8 articles published together, and these achievements could not be achieved without John's hard work and selfless dedication. On behalf of our team such as Chen Ziqi, Zhang Feifei, Peng Wei, Li Lei, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to John for his time, unwavering support, and valuable advice in our scientific collaboration. John is an approachable person and a close friend. We have written many letters and discussed many insights beyond academia before his gone. I am forever grateful for John's help and support, and he will always live in my heart and be worth remembering by all of us.
Chunyu Liu
September 26, 2023
It was a shock learning that John left us forever. I was still waiting for another opportunity to meet John again in Changsha, or another place in China. I still remember vividly that day, the first time, I traveled with Elliot to UIC to meet John in his office. Whenever I met him again, the conversation was always joyful. His humor and wisdom were so influential that they carved deeply into my memory. I am glad that I had a chance to host him in Changsha in 2017. We enjoyed a good time together. I feel fortunate that I decided to visit John's lake-front home on my way back from Cincinnati in the summer of 2021. I did not expect that was our last chance to meet. We had so many crossroads, though we did not collaborate closely: Syracuse, Chicago, Cincinnati. I was hoping that once-in-while meetings could continue for many many years. But it ended so suddenly. You will live in my heart forever, John.
Marcel Just
September 26, 2023
Around 1993, the University of Pittsburgh hired Keith Thulborn from Mass General to head up its, new MRI research center (Magnetic Resonance Research Center). Thulborn then proceeded to recruit and train a group of faculty researchers from Pitt and CMU in the innovative use of fMRI. Among the most devoted of these recruits was John Sweeney, who worked closely with Thulborn in those pioneering circumstances. (The other recruits I recall included Marlene Behrmann, Patricia Carpenter, Bill Eddy, Chris Genovese, Bea Luna, and me). The topics addressed by various members of the group included the nature of eye movements, language comprehension, visual perception, statistical methods, and child development. John led several pioneering efforts to establish new experimental fMRI protocols under Thulborn´s guidance. John gloried in the scientific excitement and innovation, and he generously shared his wisdom and his excitement with the others in the group. It was like being together on a scientific expedition in uncharted waters in a highly supportive group, with John Sweeney lending his spirited enthusiasm to his own and others´ efforts.
Juliana Huang
September 26, 2023
John was an extraordinary person with academic achievement and life success. He had helped to foster the growth and success of HMRCC in Chengdu and to aspire young students and researchers here. His guidance and mentorship were instrumental in shaping the careers of many individuals including me. He was smart, kind, easygoing and humor. He respected everyone and different culture. We will always remember the happy, funny, wonderful time that we had spent with him and may him rest in peace.
Jiaxin Zeng
September 26, 2023
John was a grand mentor, a cherished friend and also an amiable grandpa. I still remember when John revised the first paper I wrote, he suggested me sitting beside him so that he could teach me word by word. His passion for science and problem-solving inspired me for scientific research. He was good friends of the students and staffs in the lab. He also got along well with people he met. The tea vendor near John´s apartment was willing to share his tea with John, and they could sit there for a whole afternoon even without knowing each other´s language. After John left Chengdu in 2019, the women at the "Seven Sister Noodle Store" (where the noodles he loved most) would care about when John would come back here again. Everyone around John are deeply impressed by his warmth, kindness, and passion. We will miss you forever.
Ying Chen
September 26, 2023
During my early days in the field of neuroscience, I grappled with a profound sense of uncertainty. It was John who skillfully guided me through the process of completing my inaugural neuroimaging research. With unwavering patience and dedication, he engaged in discussions about research design and the logical progression of the paper, time and time again. Under his mentorship, I gradually unraveled the mysteries of the brain, learning not only how to conduct meaningful studies but also how to articulate them effectively in scientific writing. John was not only an outstanding researcher but also a person always willing to extend a helping hand. I am immensely grateful to him, and may he rest in peace.
Marlene Behrmann
September 26, 2023
Marlene Behrmann
John was spearheading new research directions when I first started my lab in Pittsburgh. He was kind and generous with his time and expertise. I continue to be grateful to him and to think of him with much kindness.
Rich Keefe
September 26, 2023
I really don´t know much about how other people saw John, and so my words here seem isolated and very personal. John was unique. I always felt that he was just better. He was smarter, and he was a more creative and diligent scientist. He cared more about his work and your work. He listened better to what you were saying. He always seemed amazed at your findings, at your life, and wanted to know more. I always looked forward to seeing him or hearing from him. I loved John. I will miss him terribly.
Qiao Wen
September 26, 2023
Although the whole time spent with you is only a few minutes, it will not fade my long-lasting memory of you. Sorry to get to know you in a hurry, regrettable to learn and communicate with no more opportunities, and helpless to mourn you in this way.
Wenjing Zhang
September 25, 2023
It has been ten years since I met John for the first time and became friends thereafter. The first day we met, we visited Panda base and I was the translator and body guard, though he was like the twice size of me. I learned a lot from him during my research life. We both like movies, and I always said to him that he was like the Gandalf the wizard and I was like the Frodo Baggins. He always tried to lead me to the right way and helped me to achieve the goals. BFF was a word I learned from him, and we usually used this note in the emails back and forth. I was really lucky to have him as a mentor, a friend and a grandpa in my life.
Biqiu Tang
September 25, 2023
John was not only a wonderful mentor but also a cherished friend. He had deeper understanding of the neurodevelopment, neurocognition and neuroimaging of schizophrenia and mood disorders. He provided invaluable support for my research, offering insights, sharing resources, and guiding me through challenging phases of my projects. In life, he is a very easy-going and warm person.I vividly remember our first dinner at the hospital's cafeteria. With my limited English skills at the time, I was incredibly nervous, afraid of makeing mistakes and hesitant to talk with he. The kind John brought up topics, and started chatting with me, deliberately slowing down his words, making me feel warm and relaxed. His gentle and friendly demeanor, along with his generosity, approachability, and sense of humor, made him a beloved scientist, mentor, and friend.We will forever cherish his memory in our hearts.
Nanfang Pan
September 25, 2023
I knew John since I was still an undergraduate student, and he is very chatty with our young guys. We enjoyed delicious Chinese food together for many times, including Seven Sister´s noodle, Big Lazy Man Steam pot, and ManTangXiang Restaurant. He definitely had a Chengdu´s stomach, and ate more spicy food than me. It is a pity for me not seeing him in the past four years due to covid. He provided me with a lot of guidance when I was just starting my academic journey, and I am truly grateful to him. RIP.
Song Wang
September 25, 2023
John was a greate mentor and friend for me. He taught us not only knowledge but also the wisdom of life, thank him for his teachings to take care of our minds. Even though we may never see him again, I believe, his memories and impact continue to thrive within the world around us.
Fei Li
September 25, 2023
From Radiology ten years ago to JAMA Psychiatry last year, John always casts his bread upon the waters and has helped me a lot in my early career development. Without his help, I could not have these achievements. On behalf of my students Lekai Luo, Qian Li, Wanfang You, Yuxia Wang, and Fenghua Long, we thank John from the bottom of our true hearts for his time, unwavering support, and helpful and valuable suggestions on our scientific cooperation. John is very humble and says that he is very happy to play a small part in our success. There is a big part of our hearts where you are memorized and cherished forever.
Kathy Shear
September 23, 2023
John and I were both trainees at Payne Whitney Clinic in the 1970's and became good friends. He was instrumental in my move to the University of Pittsburgh in the 1990's and he and his first wife Gretchen were good friends until each of us moved away to different parts of the country in the 2000's, We stayed in touch after that and John became a mentor for our daughter Emma who was interested in autism. He eventually hired her as a research assistant, a job that ultimately launcher her career as a clinical psychologist and researcher in the field of neurodiversity. John recontacted me a year ago after hearing an interview I did and we reminisced about old times and what we thought about the topic of retirement - neither of us there yet. We committed to staying in touch but life intervened and we had not had the chance to reconnect which we were so hoping to do. John was a shining star in my life as in so many others. He will be very very missed.
li yao
September 23, 2023
John is a grand mentor and warm friend, he shined the light on my career, witnessed many momentous events of my life. I still remember the first time we met at the airport in Beijing and so much wonderful times we spent in Chengdu. He always took care of everyone's feeling, offered generous help, shared his understanding of science and life, he inspired many people here in thousands of miles away from his hometown. We will miss you forever.
Siyi Li
September 22, 2023
John is not only an excellent mentor, but also a very good friend. He gave me a lot of guidance in scientific research, I met him in my first year in the lab and I feel so lucky. I still remember the happy times when we shared snacks in the lab. He was always so warm, and he cared about everyone, he always remembered important moments for everyone and gave his blessings. His spirit will always inspire me. R.I.P
Qiyong Gong
September 22, 2023
John is not only an exceptional colleague, but also a dear friend to me. His dedication to his field of expertise was truly inspiring. Beyond his impressive professional achievements, what I will remember most is his kindness, humor and warmth. He always had a way of making those around him feel inspired and appreciated. His willingness to listen and support others in their academic pursuits was truly remarkable. I will always remember the time we spent together. Rest in peace, my dear friend. You have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to be in your presence. May your soul find eternal peace.
Su Lui
September 21, 2023
John was such a wonderful person and will be missed by all his friends and relatives. I know that he will happy and have peace wherever he is now. People here at West China hospital in Chengdu, China, will remember him for ever!
Mani Pavuluri
September 20, 2023
John understands science, people, cultures, fashion, mind, politics, humor, life and all other nuances in insanely brilliant way. He is my grand mentor that shined the light on my path at every step of my career, and participated in our life along with his dear Marilynn and became our dearest and nearest family friend. He is one of a kind, irreplaceable, and inflated the experience of my life by looking at science through meeting of minds that was so-so exciting. What a run! You are THE BEST John! Will miss you terribly.
Donna
September 20, 2023
John was my clinical and research mentor during my Cornell internship, and I wirked in his research lab. He was also my dissertation chair, and I owe my PhD, in large part, to John. Gone far too soon. Heartbreaking loss.
Marilynn Sweeney
September 19, 2023
John was the love of my life, my traveling companion, my friend, my confidant and a million other things. RIP my love.
Heidi Ward
September 18, 2023
Heidi Ward
September 18, 2023
Heidi Ward
September 18, 2023
John was one of those kind of guys that after meeting you felt as if you had known him your entire life. His kind and witty personality were such a wonderful part of him and made him just incredibly fun to be around and talk to. I will miss sitting at the beach and enjoying the stories he shared and his keen ability to pick up or question aspects of the world as we know it.
Stefanie Behrend
September 18, 2023
I wish I could have known him. What an amazing man!
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