VITTORIO DEFENDI

DEFENDI--Vittorio, MD.

Internationally renowned viral oncologist, lover of opera and the fine arts, Vittorio Defendi passed away peacefully in Palo Alto, California on Monday, February 12, 2018 at age 89. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Christel. Both were residents of Scarsdale, NY for 43 years. Born and raised in Italy, Dr. Defendi attended medical school at the Universita degli studi di Pavia. At age 25, he was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship and travelled to the United States to pursue his scientific interests initially at the University of Vermont, Burlington, the Detroit Institute of Cancer Research, Detroit, MI and later at the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA. In 1974, Dr. Defendi was named chairman of the Department of Pathology at New York University School of Medicine and remained chair until 2002, and subsequently became Professor Emeritus. Pursuing research on the carcinogenic properties of human papilloma virus, he also served as Director of the NYU Langone's Cancer Center for two decades. Throughout his career, Vittorio was a strong proponent of graduate and medical education, particularly emphasizing the interface between cancer, immunology and disease pathogenesis. In 2008, the Vittorio Defendi Fellowship in Pathobiology was established in his honor to acknowledge his lifelong dedication to oncologic research, pathology and graduate education. Vittorio is survived by his sister, Emi Mariani of Rome, Italy; three daughters, Germaine, Claudia and Adrienne; and eight grandchildren. Donations may be made to the New York Metropolitan Opera and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Much loved, Vittorio will be deeply missed.