Harvard Mourns Loss Of Gifted Professor

Professor Stephen Lagakos Dies In NH Car Crash

CAMBRIDGE (WBZ) ― Faculty and students at the Harvard School of Public Health are grieving the loss of a colleague and world renowned researcher in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Professor Stephen Lagakos, 63, of Wellesley was killed on Monday in a car crash in New Hampshire. Police say Lagakos was behind the wheel of his SUV when it crossed the median and collided with an oncoming car on Route 202. Lagakos, his wife Regina and his mother Helen were killed. The driver in the other car, 56-yea- old Stephen Krause of Keene, NH also died.

Lagakos is remembered as a brilliant scientist and activist.

Victor Gruttola, Chair of the school's Biostatistics Department tells WBZ News, " His
role was fundamental …. in all of the tremendous improvement in treatment of HIV by helping to improve and create new approaches and design."

Lagakos worked at the Harvard School of Public Health for over 30 years. He created the Center for Biostatics and AIDS research, his colleagues say Lagakos' impact went well beyond academia. "He used the classroom as a lab to understand what was important in the real world and take action," said Gruttola. "He bridged the worlds of academia and government and industry. He touched people directly."

Lagakos also established two fellowship programs for international students. They would train at the School of Public Health, then return to their homeland to apply what they learned in biostatistics.

The Dean of Academic Affairs emailed the Harvard School of Public Health community to notify them of Lagakos' death.

David Hunter wrote, "Steve was always generous with his time- both in statistical matters, and also as a citizen of Harvard, having served with good cheer and much wisdom on many committees and given sage advice to many."

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