In Memoriam: Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, PhD 

Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, Ph.D. (photo credit: UCLA Newsroom)

With deep sadness, we share the passing of our colleague, mentor, and friend Professor Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, whose life and work left an indelible mark on UCLA, the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, the Department of Neurosurgery, the Brain Research Institute, and the international neuroscience community.

Fernando was a visionary scientist who reshaped our understanding of the brain’s capacity for plasticity, resilience, and repair. He helped establish a now foundational truth in modern neuroscience: that the biology of the brain is profoundly shaped by experience — including physical activity, diet, and the metabolic environment — and that these factors can influence recovery from injury and vulnerability to disease. His work connected molecular mechanisms to real-world relevance with uncommon clarity and ambition.

Celebration in the Gómez-Pinilla Lab (photo credit: Mayuri Khandelwal)

From his early discoveries linking activity to neurotrophic support and synaptic health, to his widely influential scholarship on “brain foods,” Fernando opened new conceptual ground for the field and inspired generations of scientists and clinicians to think differently about prevention, rehabilitation, and brain health across the lifespan. In his later work, he continued to push into emerging frontiers, exploring how the brain communicates with peripheral organs to coordinate systemic responses to injury—a powerful, integrative framework that reflects the breadth of his scientific imagination.

Fernando’s impact reached far beyond his publications. He was a deeply dedicated mentor and teacher, known for setting a high bar for rigor while offering steady guidance and genuine encouragement. Many have shared that Fernando’s influence shaped not only their science, but their confidence — because he believed in people, listened carefully, and invested in their growth. His mentorship extended across trainees at all levels, and his commitment to training and education was a defining part of his legacy at UCLA.

Just as importantly, Fernando brought a quiet humanity to our community. Those who knew him well remember his thoughtful presence, his calm steadiness, and the ways he connected with others beyond the lab — including his love of music and the joy he found in shared moments. He carried his accomplishments with humility, and his intellectual curiosity with a kind of grounded grace.

We will miss Fernando profoundly — his scientific brilliance, his mentorship, his integrity, and the distinctive spirit he brought to UCLA. We are grateful for the discoveries he made, the community he strengthened, and the many lives he touched. His legacy will endure in the science he advanced, the trainees he shaped, and the ongoing work his ideas continue to inspire.

With gratitude and remembrance,
Rachelle H. Crosbie, PhD Professor and Chair
on behalf of the UCLA Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology