The legacy that Bruce A. Holm leaves behind at both the University at Buffalo and at ONY is remarkable in its breadth. Dr. Holm had a distinguished record in surfactant science, particularly in mechanisms of surfactant dysfunctions and mechanisms of lung surfactant activity. He was an important resource for ONY’s production development and the development of its methodology for quality control testing. He was actively involved in ONY’s ongoing evaluation of innovations in lung surfactant therapy.
During his 24-year tenure, he was a cherished teacher and mentor, a brilliant and prolific researcher, successful entrepreneur and a tireless advocate for the Buffalo life-sciences and high technology hub that he helped establish. Holm touched and transformed the lives of students, colleagues and friends while transforming the university. On the occasion of his untimely death, his colleagues remembered him as the quintessential scholar-entrepreneur, a brilliant scientist, a consummate diplomat, and always, a true gentleman.
He came to the medical school as a Fellow in Perinatology in 1987 and joined the faculty in 1989. He was named associate dean for research and graduate studies, then senior associate vice provost for health affairs and senior vice provost. In 2004, he was appointed executive director of UB’s Center of Excellence; he also served as chief administrator for the Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technologies. Most recently, he served as senior vice provost in the Office of the Vice President for Research. Holm’s research career was marked by achievements both in administrative endeavors and in translational research that has helped save the lives of premature infants. He was a world leader in the biology of lung development, therapeutics for acute lung disease and in defining the role of lung surfactant in lung disease.
His research with UB colleague Edmund Egan on therapeutics for acute lung disease resulted in the development of Infasurf®, a lung surfactant that has helped lower the mortality rate for premature newborns. Holm and Egan were awarded the UB Faculty Entrepreneur Award for commercializing Infasurf, and they were named to the Pioneers of Science by HWI.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Holm received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Iowa in 1981. He served as an NIH predoctoral fellow in Radiation Biology, Biophysics and Pulmonary Medicine, and in 1987 received his master’s degree and doctorate in toxicology and pulmonary medicine from the University of Rochester School of Medicine.