image: Dr. Seymour Reichlin photographed as he views his birthday cake and is about to blow out the candles at his 100th Birthday Celebration at Maggiano’s restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts, in June 2024. This unique birthday cake, made by Dr. Ron Lechan, depicts the human anatomical region (hypothalamus, pituitary stalk, hypothalamic-pituitary portal system, anterior pituitary, posterior pituitary) towardwhich Dr. Seymour Reichlin devoted much of his life toward studying and about which hewas renowned globally as a foremost expert about the neuroendocrinology of this region.
Credit: Leonard Kapcala
New York, New York, USA, 29 April 2025 – In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Leonard Kapcala provides a moving tribute to one of neuroendocrinology's most distinguished figures, Dr. Seymour "Si" Reichlin, MD, PhD, who celebrated his centennial birthday in June 2024. The article, published today in Brain Medicine, offers a uniquely personal perspective on Reichlin's extraordinary career and the profound impact he has had on multiple generations of scientists and physicians.
The viewpoint article, titled "Personal recollections of Seymour 'Si' Reichlin, MD, PhD: A maven, a mentor, and a mensch," chronicles Dr. Kapcala's nearly five-decade relationship with Reichlin, beginning with his fellowship training at Tufts New England Medical Center (TNEMC) from 1977 to 1981 and continuing through Reichlin's 100th birthday celebration.
What distinguishes this tribute is its illumination of Reichlin not just as a brilliant scientist but as a remarkable human being. Throughout the narrative, Dr. Kapcala characterizes Reichlin as a scientific "maven" with unparalleled expertise, a dedicated mentor who provided invaluable guidance, and a genuine "mensch" whose kindness touched everyone around him.
"I view Si as one of the few most influential and impactful people in my life," writes Dr. Kapcala, who went on to a distinguished career in academic medicine, research, biotechnology, and regulatory science after his training with Reichlin.
The article recounts how Reichlin's door was always open, creating a family-like atmosphere in his division. How might this approach to mentorship have contributed to the remarkable success rate of his trainees? This leadership style appears to have fostered both scientific excellence and personal growth among his fellows.
Dr. Kapcala shares touching anecdotes demonstrating Reichlin's generosity and commitment to his protégés, including a detailed 12-page review of a grant application and sharing proceeds from commercialized research. These stories reveal the extraordinary lengths to which Reichlin went to support his former fellows' careers, even decades after their formal training ended.
The tribute also provides fascinating glimpses into Reichlin's continuing intellectual vigor at age 100. Dr. Kapcala describes a recent hour-long phone conversation in which Reichlin discussed two books he is currently writing – one on the neuroendocrinology and neuroimmunology of Alzheimer's disease and another on the neurobiological basis of ecstatic mysticism. Could these ongoing contributions from a centenarian scholar fundamentally reshape our understanding of these complex topics?
Dr. Ronald Lechan, another former fellow who recently reviewed Reichlin's scientific contributions in a companion article, created a special birthday cake for Reichlin's centennial celebration depicting the hypothalamus and pituitary – the brain regions to which Reichlin devoted his scientific career.
This article is published as part of a special Festschrift commemorating Dr. Reichlin's centennial. As a pioneering figure in neuroendocrinology, Dr. Reichlin made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the interactions among the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. At 100 years old, he remains an intellectually vibrant member of the scientific community, continuing to explore new frontiers in brain research and inspire younger generations of scientists.
The viewpoint article in Brain Medicine titled “Personal recollections of Seymour 'Si' Reichlin, MD, PhD: A maven, a mentor, and a mensch,” is freely available available through Open Access on 29 Aprill 2025 in Brain Medicine at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/bm025v.0038.
About Brain Medicine: Brain Medicine (ISSN: 2997-2639) is a peer-reviewed medical research journal published by Genomic Press, New York. Brain Medicine is a new home for the cross-disciplinary pathway from innovation in fundamental neuroscience to translational initiatives in brain medicine. The journal’s scope includes the underlying science, causes, outcomes, treatments, and societal impact of brain disorders, across all clinical disciplines and their interface.
Journal
Brain Medicine
Method of Research
News article
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Personal recollections of Seymour 'Si' Reichlin, MD, PhD: A maven, a mentor, and a mensch
Article Publication Date
29-Apr-2025
COI Statement
No conflicts of interest were declared.