Remembering Prof. Walker

A good friend and professor of mine, Professor J Michael Walker, passed away recently. He died in his apartment of either a stroke or heart attack. He was only 57 years old and we are all going to miss him dearly. He was the Chair of the Program in Neuroscience and the Gill Center Chair of Neuroscience. He was very passionate about his research and cared deeply about his students and teaching. I really enjoyed taking his seminar class on pain last Spring and we had many conversations in his office. We disscussed science and research most of the time, but he also always asked about my health and my family. He studied chronic pain and had a better understanding of how difficult it is to live with chronic pain because of his research and past relationships with family and friends dealing with pain. He knew that I have really struggled to get to where I am today and he appreciated my stubborness. I will never forget his benevolence and the encouragement he gave as I have pursued my Ph.D. We have lost a remarkable researcher, colleague and friend.