The GFPD is heartbroken to report the sudden passing of Gillian MacLean, who worked with Dr. Nancy Braverman. Gillian’s research efforts were responsible for the discovery of diosmetin as a potential therapeutic option for PBD-ZSD. Diosmetin remains the most effective agent for rescuing peroxisome function in cell lines and will be used as the gold standard for the PBD-ZSD drug screening study taking place at NIH.
Gillian was also completing a second master’s degree in Genetic Counseling, and was about to start her thesis project, focusing on peroxisome disorders, and how information provided by genetic counselors was interpreted by families.
Gillian attended the 2013 GFPD conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, presenting her work on diosmetin to our families. Through her interactions with the GFPD and her amazing research efforts, it is clear that Gillian was dedicated to serving the PBD community. We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss to our families and our scientific community, and wish to extend our sympathies to Gillian’s family, friends, and colleagues.