With profound sadness, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Professor Marcus Maurer, a long-time and esteemed member of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. On July 31, 2024, during a hike to Monte Giove near his vacation home by Lake Maggiore, Italy, Professor Maurer went missing. After weeks of intensive search efforts, his body was found in the Alpe Pizzocca area by an Italian mountain rescue patrol unit, bringing a tragic end to an agonising period of waiting for his family and all who knew him. He was only 58 years old.

Professor Maurer was not only an extraordinary researcher in clinical allergy but also one of the brightest minds to work in this area. His pioneering research on mast cells, urticaria, and related conditions was groundbreaking, transforming the way we understand and treat these diseases. The global allergy and immunology community will forever be indebted to his contributions, which were truly unparalleled.

After completing medical school at the Universities of Mainz and Berlin, Professor Maurer trained in Experimental Pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. In 2000, he earned his Board Certification in Dermatology, followed by Allergology in 2003. His renowned research, notably his Habilitation on the physiological and pathological functions of mast cells, laid the foundation for his legacy in the field. His research covered mast cell functions, mechanisms of pruritus and inflammation, and his clinical expertise focused on chronic urticaria, recurrent angioedema, and mastocytosis.

Professor Maurer’s work was immense, involving more than 100 funded research projects, and over 800 original and review articles, with an H-index of 100. He also authored over 50 books and book chapters; his total scientific impact factor reached 5780. His national and international collaborations—whether with patients, healthcare providers, or industry—have greatly advanced our ability to treat diseases like urticaria and angioedema. Thanks to his tireless work, the world looks very different for patients with these conditions.

In 2022, Professor Maurer was awarded the EAACI Clemens von Pirquet Award for Clinical Research, and in 2023, he received the APAACI Lifetime Achievement Award. His roles as Executive Director of the Institute of Allergology at Charité University Medicine Berlin, Co-Director of the Institute of Immunology and Allergology at the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, and Professor of Dermatology and Allergy, speaks to his dedication to both the scientific community and patients.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Marcus was a cherished colleague, companion, and friend. His academic lectures were legendary, and many travelled far just to attend. His wisdom, sense of humour, and tireless support for others, made him a beloved figure within EAACI and beyond.

The loss of Professor Marcus Maurer is immeasurable. The entire EAACI family mourns alongside his family, friends, and colleagues. European and global allergology have lost one of their finest. We will forever honour his memory as a brilliant scientist, a compassionate doctor, and a dear friend.

We are deeply saddened and will remember him always.

 

Maria Jose Torres Jaen
EAACI President