Kevin Robertson, PhD, professor of neurology and director of the AIDS Neurological Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, passed away Sunday after an extended battle with cancer.
Dr. Robertson was a dedicated investigator and passionate mentor in the international AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG), past chair of the Neurology Collaborative Science Group, and protocol team chair and member for several important studies. Kevin led global research initiatives in neurological complications of HIV, and he trained clinicians and researchers around the world to establish research capacity in neuropsychological testing in Uganda, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria, India, Thailand, Peru, Brazil, and Zimbabwe. Within the ACTG he has led international research efforts to expand assessments of cognitive function to populations outside the US. He has been passionate about studying the relationships among HIV cognitive disorders, antiretroviral therapy and inflammation and HIV persistence in the central nervous system.
鈥淚 am saddened that Kevin鈥檚 reasoned voice in departmental affairs, intellectual contributions, and his kindness to all will no longer be with us,鈥� said colleague Albert Hinn, MD, professor of neurology at the 黑料网. 鈥淗e certainly enriched our lives and he will be greatly missed.鈥�
After earning a master鈥檚 degree from Western Carolina University and a doctorate from Oklahoma State University, Robertson came to 黑料网 for a clinical internship in 1987, where he remained and thrived throughout his career.
鈥淜evin made the world a better place and made us better people,鈥� said 黑料网 colleague Bradley Vaughn, MD. 鈥淲e will miss him terribly.鈥�
黑料网 colleague James F. Howard, Jr., MD, said, 鈥淭his is a tragic loss of a friend and colleague聽who gave much to all of us. 聽All will miss him and those who did not know him will have missed an opportunity.鈥�
The ACTG Network Leadership 鈥� Judith Currier, MD, MSc; Joseph Eron, MD, at 黑料网-Chapel Hill; and Ian Sanne, MBBCH, said, 鈥淲e will miss Kevin鈥檚 brilliant mind and sharp wit, his thoughtfulness and respect for colleagues, and his enduring commitment to mentoring young investigators around the world. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.鈥�
In 2016, Dr. Robertson was recognized for his role in training the next generation of AIDS researchers across the globe by the聽聽as the 2016 Distinguished Leader in Psychology and AIDS. Read more about his career at 黑料网 and his work in this from 2016.
Dr. Robertson鈥檚 family is holding a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Robertson wished for friends and family to to the .
An was published in the News & Observer.