Dr. George Reilly Martin

01/20/1933 - 01/01/2025

On January 1, 2025, Dr. George R. Martin passed away peacefully at home in Rockville, MD at the age of 91. He was born January 20, 1933. He graduated from Colgate University with a BS in Chemistry and obtained a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Rochester.
He moved to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1958, working mostly in the National Institute of Dental Research and the National Institute on Aging. At NIDR, his work focused on connective tissue, collagen, wound healing and cancer. At NIA, he served as the Scientific Director, expanding basic research with a focus on aging. After more than 30 years working at NIH, George Martin moved to Palo Alto as the first employee of a biomedical research company where he worked for 10 years.
During his career in scientific research, he was known for developing scientists and their careers by guiding research, co-authoring research papers, participating in scientific conferences and using his extensive network to connect researchers and opportunities. George Martin was a warm and generous colleague, with friends all over the world.
George Martin loved to spend time with his family. He met his wife, Donna (Smith) Martin, when they were both working at NIH. They married in 1960 and had three children, Cathryn (Scott) and grandsons William and Benjamin; Patricia (Eugene) and grandchildren Aidan (Michele and great-granddaughter Quinn), Darby (Ty) and Mae; and David (Amy) and grandsons Reilly (Jane) and Cole (Lilly).
He traveled, ran, skied and played golf with his family and friends. He continued daily visits to NIH and the gym until his last illness.
The service will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Maryland Public Television or Doctors Without Borders.