A. JAMES HUDSPETH

HUDSPETH--A. James. The Rockefeller University deeply mourns the loss of our esteemed colleague A. James "Jim" Hudspeth, a pioneering neuroscientist who discovered how the inner ear converts sound waves into signals that the brain can interpret. A spectacular scientist and dedicated mentor, Jim was the university's F.M. Kirby Professor, head of the Laboratory of Sensory Neuroscience, and director of the F.M. Kirby Center for Sensory Neuro- science. He was also an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1993. Over the course of his career, he uncovered how sound waves of specific frequencies mechanically distort particular hair cell bundles in the cochlea, resulting in electrical signals transmitted to and decoded by the brain. He also showed the remarkable amplification of these signals that allows astonishing discrimination of different frequencies. These discoveries reshaped the field of sensory neuroscience and laid the foundation for future treatments for hearing loss. Known for his deep intellect and insistence on rigor, Jim was a generous mentor to students and postdocs, a thoughtful advisor to colleagues, and a gifted communicator of complex scientific concepts to lay audiences. Born in Texas, Jim obtained his B.A., M.D., and Ph.D. in neurobiology from Harvard. Following postdoctoral research at the Karolinska Institute and Harvard Medical School, he had successive faculty appointments at the California Institute of Technology, the University of California San Francisco, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center prior to joining Rockefeller in 1995. Widely recognized for his contributions to science, Jim was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Among the distinguished awards he received were the Kavli Prize in Neuroscience, the Ralph W. Gerard Prize from the Society for Neuroscience, the Guyot Prize from the University of Groningen, and the W. Alden Spencer Award from Columbia University. The Rockefeller community has benefited from and remains inspired by Jim's integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to discovery. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Dr. Maurine Packard, children, James and Annie, and their families. Those wishing to honor Jim's legacy may consider a donation to Rockefeller University's Science Outreach program which promotes inclusive science learning and curiosity among children and adolescents. William E. Ford, Chair Richard P. Lifton, President