Steven Seifert, a prolific toxicologist whose work provided insights into the properties and medical treatment of venoms, died on May 18 at the age of 72. According to a statement by his colleague, University of Arizona toxicologist Leslie Boyer, Seifert died in harmony from cancer-related complications.Seifert was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1950. Boyer writes in an obituary published in Clinical Toxicology that he declared his interest in becoming a doctor at age 3– and went on to make a medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1976. That led to a 20-year career in emergency situation medicine, according to a homage posted by a funeral home.Following a toxicology fellowship at the University of Colorado Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in 1999, Seifert rotated to a medical research career focused on envenomation, particularly snakebites, antivenom treatments, and the public health of poisoning. After offering at the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, Seifert was named medical director of the Nebraska Regional Poison Center in Omaha in 2001, according to his faculty bio at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Seifert held that position for 6 years; in 2007 he ended up being a professor at the UNM School of Medicine in addition to the medical director of the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center– two positions he held till his death.Seifert with a (nonvenomous) snake © THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED”Undoubtedly, Steves academic enthusiasm was venom,” checks out a memorial by American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) President Kirk Cumpston. Seifert cofounded a venom research study society called the North American Society of Toxinology in 2012 and acted as its inaugural board president.As a researcher, Seifert published numerous scholastic papers on antivenoms and venoms, and added to many clinical trials, a few of which resulted in FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. In 2017, Seifert ended up being the editor-in-chief of Clinical Toxicology, and he held the title until his death. Previously this year, he published a review on snake envenomation in The New England Journal of Medicine, which Cumpstons memorial refers to as Seiferts “last treatise.”In 2005, he cochaired a meeting called “Snakebites in the New Millennium,” according to his UNM bio. This conference offered increase to whats now called Venom Week, a popular annual conference for toxicology research study which will hold its 8th seminar next week, throughout which Seifert, who is typically credited for its ongoing success, will be memorialized.See “Study Questions Sterility of Snake and Spider Venoms”Seifert won numerous awards for his work, including the 2022 Ellenhorn Career Achievement Award from the American College of Medical Toxicology. He was likewise a nominee for the US Presidential Service Award, won the State of Arizona Governors Special Recognition Award, and won the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Finalist Award for his work supporting sexual attack victims, according to his UNM bio. Seifert likewise received the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicologys Best Scientific Paper Award and the AACTs Presidential Merit Award, amongst others.Outside of his scientific and medical profession, Seifert was a devoted cyclist who frequently took part in the 100-mile-long El Tour de Tucson race, a writer and poet, and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He was likewise a jazz musician who played for several groups, consisting of Once Again and The Steve Seifert Project, a group made up specifically of artists from around the United States with the very same name.Seifert is endured by his mom, sibling, and sister, along with his spouse, boy, grand son, nephew, and a number of nieces.
