Sasha Koulish

Sasha Koulish (100), of Sarasota, Florida, died on November 25, 2025. He was born in New York City in 1925 to Meyer and Anna Koulish.

Sasha attended Dewitt Clinton High School before studying biology at New York University, then worked at the family jewelry business, Meyer Koulish and Co., Inc., in NYC's jewelry district. He later studied cell biology at the Ohio State University, where he received his Ph.D.

Sasha was a professor at the College of Staten Island (Richmond College) at the City University of New York (CUNY), where he taught and conducted research in electron microscopy and marine cell biology. He published numerous journal articles about the ultrastructure and diseases of barnacles, specifically the Ivory Barnacle. His research led to the description of the first viral disease in barnacles.

Sasha retired to Sarasota, Florida, where he volunteered at Mote Marine Laboratory to continue his research and writing on the biological processes of sex determination and reversal in certain fish. He and his wife, Joan, took pleasure in walking the beautiful beaches of Longboat and Siesta Keys and enjoying the Arts scene in Sarasota.

Sasha was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and his brother, Sam, and is survived by his sons, David and Robert, their wives, Jana and Stephanie, and his grandchildren, Adam, Valen, Leo, and Julian.

Donations to the Alzheimer's Association or The BrightFocus Foundation are appreciated.