Heartbreaking news. Dr. Mark Hallett, NIH Distinguished Investigator Emeritus at The National Institutes of Health passed away on Sunday November 2. Mark has been a friend of numerous Indian American Neurologists and has several meaningful collaborations with Indian scientists and physicians. Mark attended many AINA meetings as a guest and also was honored as one of our past annual dinner speakers attracting incredible accolades from the audience and numerous fans. I wanted to bring him back as our annual dinner speaker in 2024, but destiny would not permit this to happen.

Mark was my godfather, mentor and friend like he was to many Indian origin neurologists and movement disorders specialists. I met him first while I was a fellow at Emory with Dr. Mahlon Delong. For reasons best known to him and to God he took a liking for me and took an interest in my research. From then on for the past three decades he has been there for me to run ideas, review grants, papers, make recommendations or just simply listen and give feedback. He enjoyed science as much as he enjoyed life and took keen interest in every human he touched. His incredible scientific acumen and ability to provide the most meaningful advice not only changed my life for the better but also helped improve the care of my patients enormously. I had the good fortune to meet him just a few weeks ago prior to giving a grand rounds lecture at NINDS in his honor. His encouragement to continue my research as we enjoyed an Indian meal together will remain with me as one of my cherished memories. I will deeply miss him but I am sure all of us who knew him will continue his legacy of giving back to science what Mark admirably taught us via his life.

On behalf of AINA, as its current president I offer our collective condolences to Mark’s family and all his grieving friends.