Stanley Gartler

Dr. Stanley Gartler, professor emeritus, passed away on May 25, 2026. He was 102. Gartler joined the brand new Division of Medical Genetics in 1957 and the Department of Genetics (now Genome Sciences) when it was formed in 1960. He stayed active for many years after his retirement in 1993 at the age of 70.

Gartler is perhaps best known for his research on the X chromosome. A central focus of his work was the X‑linked gene glucose‑6‑phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), through which he discovered that tracking G6PD inactivation could map the fate of cells.

He was also a generous teacher. The Nobel prize winner Joe Goldstein, who became interested in lipid genetics while a post-doc in the division from 1970-1972, learned cell culture in Gartler’s lab. These techniques contributed to his prize-winning discoveries.

His honors included being a member of the National Academy of Sciences, an NIH Merit Scholar, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, president of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), and the winner of the 2016 ASHG McKusick Leadership award.

Read more about his life and career on Faculty spotlight: Dr. Stanley Gartler.