A Life Dedicated to Science
The world of science lost a quiet warrior on September 13, 2007, when Leonard J. Schiff, Ph.D., concluded his brave struggle with amyloidosis at his Denver home.
At 69 years old, Schiff left behind a legacy that bridged decades of virology research, biotechnology innovation, and heartfelt mentorship. Those who knew him remembered Schiff not just as a scientist but as "a funny, decent, and compassionate man" whose absence would be deeply felt 1 . His four-decade-long career traversed academic research, the burgeoning biotechnology industry, and ultimately leadership positions where he helped shape the future of scientific discovery.
This article celebrates Schiff's life by exploring the science he dedicated himself to understanding, the tools he used to unlock nature's secrets, and the human qualities that made his contributions so distinctive.
Virology Research
Four decades advancing our understanding of viruses and their mechanisms
Biotech Innovation
Leadership roles in pioneering biotechnology firms
Compassionate Mentorship
Remembered for his humanity and dedication to others
The Scientist's Journey: From Oklahoma to Biotechnology
Leonard Schiff's origins in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where his father ran a shoe-repair shop, gave him a grounded perspective he carried throughout his distinguished career. His early passion for learning eventually led him to Colorado State University, where he earned his doctorate in virology in 1970 1 . This educational foundation launched him into a research career that would span multiple prestigious institutions and contribute to our understanding of microscopic worlds.
Early Research
Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute
Research Scientist (16 years) - Laying groundwork in virology research
Industry Leadership
Biotechnology firms in Missouri and Maryland
Various leadership positions - Advancing applied biotechnology
Late Career
Charles River Laboratories
Senior role until 2006 - Supporting pharmaceutical research
Retirement
Denver, Colorado
Return to beloved mountains - Family time and personal reflection
Scientific Rigor
Maintained high standards in research methodology and analysis throughout his career.
Human Touch
Balanced professional excellence with genuine care for colleagues and mentees.
Passionate Fan
Remained a "life-long and passionate fan of the Oklahoma Sooners football team," a testament to his roots and consistent character 1 .
Unveiling the Invisible: The Science of Virology and Immunology
Schiff's doctoral focus in virology placed him at the forefront of our understanding of viruses—those fascinating entities that exist at the boundary between living and non-living matter. Virology in the 1960s and 1970s, when Schiff was building his career, was undergoing revolutionary changes as scientists began to unravel how viruses invade cells and commandeer their reproductive machinery.
Virology explores pathogens that are masters of minimalism—viruses contain just enough genetic information to:
- Identify host cells
- Replicate themselves
- Spread to new hosts
Schiff's work would have involved understanding these mechanisms and developing ways to interrupt them, research that continues to inform modern responses to viral outbreaks.
The significance of Schiff's work takes on deeper meaning in light of his ultimate struggle with amyloidosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins in organs and tissues.
While not directly related to virology, this experience connected him personally to the field of immunology—how our body's defense systems sometimes falter. The family's request for memorial gifts to support the Amyloidosis Research Foundation underscores the profound personal impact of this disease 1 .
Attachment
Entry
Uncoating
Replication
Assembly
Release
The Franck-Hertz Experiment: A Quantum Leap in Understanding
While Leonard J. Schiff's work focused on biological systems, it's valuable to examine foundational experiments that shaped scientific methodology across disciplines. The Franck-Hertz experiment, conducted in 1914, provides a brilliant example of how careful experimental design can reveal fundamental truths about nature—a principle that guided Schiff's own research approach.
This groundbreaking experiment provided the first direct evidence supporting Niels Bohr's new atomic model by demonstrating that atoms absorb energy in discrete quanta.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Electron Source | Produces electrons through thermionic emission |
| Accelerating Grid | Increases electron kinetic energy through applied voltage |
| Mercury Vapor | Target medium for electron collisions |
| Collecting Plate | Measures current from electrons that reach it |
- Electron Emission: Heating a cathode to produce electrons through thermionic emission .
- Acceleration Phase: Electrons accelerated toward a grid by applied voltage.
- Collision and Energy Transfer: At specific energy thresholds, electrons undergo inelastic collisions with mercury atoms.
- Detection and Measurement: Collecting plate measures current from electrons.
| Acceleration Voltage (V) | Relative Current | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4.8 | Gradually increasing | Mostly elastic collisions with minimal energy loss |
| 4.9 | Sharp decrease | Inelastic collisions exciting mercury atoms |
| 4.9-9.8 | Gradually increasing | Regained acceleration after energy loss |
| 9.8 | Second decrease | Second quantum energy transfer |
This experiment's significance extends far beyond atomic physics—it established a paradigm for detecting and measuring subtle atomic and molecular interactions that underpins much of modern science, including the techniques Schiff would have used in his virology research.
The Scientist's Toolkit: Evolution of Research Methods
Throughout his career, Leonard Schiff would have utilized increasingly sophisticated tools to probe the viral mechanisms he studied. Comparing the fundamental components of early experiments like the Franck-Hertz with modern research tools reveals both the progress and enduring principles of scientific investigation.
| Tool/Technique | Historical Application | Modern Equivalent in Virology |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Tubes | Electron acceleration in Franck-Hertz | Electron microscopy for viral visualization |
| Mercury Vapor | Target for electron collisions | Cell cultures for viral propagation studies |
| Voltage Controls | Precision energy adjustment | PCR cyclers for DNA amplification |
| Current Measurement | Detecting quantum interactions | Spectrophotometers for concentration measurement |
What connects Schiff's work to earlier experiments like the Franck-Hertz is the fundamental approach to scientific inquiry:
- Carefully controlled conditions
- Precise measurement
- Interpreting subtle signals to understand underlying mechanisms
Modern virology tools simply amplify these same principles with greater sensitivity and specificity.
The evolution of research tools has dramatically accelerated scientific discovery:
Schiff's career spanned the middle period when biotechnology was emerging as a distinct field, bridging traditional virology with modern molecular approaches.
Legacy and Remembrance: Beyond the Laboratory
Leonard Schiff's legacy extends beyond his direct scientific contributions. His choice to return to the Colorado mountains he loved after retirement speaks to a man who valued beauty and perspective alongside discovery 1 . The private family memorial at Jefferson Unitarian Church and plans for a larger service reflected the same thoughtful balance between private mourning and public celebration that characterized Schiff's approach to life.
Return to Colorado
His choice to retire in the mountains he loved reflects his appreciation for nature and perspective.
Scientific Education
The Schiff name is associated with clear scientific thinking across disciplines 2 .
Colleague Remembrances
Remembered as a scientist who integrated different ways of knowing 3 .
What emerges from colleagues' and family's remembrances is a portrait of a scientist who mastered the difficult balance between professional excellence and personal authenticity.
Curiosity
Perseverance
Integrity
Compassion
Continuing the Scientific Journey
Leonard J. Schiff's life reminds us that science advances not just through brilliant discoveries but through the dedicated daily work of "funny, decent, and compassionate" people who bring their full humanity to the laboratory 1 .
His journey from an Oklahoma shoe-repair shop to the frontiers of virology represents both personal achievement and the broader scientific enterprise's capacity to transform lives.
The tools and experiments that Schiff would have used and understood—from the quantum principles underlying laboratory instrumentation to the viral mechanisms he sought to unravel—continue to evolve. Yet the essential qualities he embodied: curiosity, perseverance, and integrity, remain the unchanging foundations of scientific progress.
As research continues in the fields he cared about—including the amyloidosis research his family championed—Schiff's legacy lives on in every discovery that brings us closer to understanding life's intricate mechanisms.
As we reflect on Schiff's contributions, we see how individual scientific journeys connect across disciplines and generations, each researcher building on those who came before while training those who will follow—a continuous chain of inquiry and discovery that honors all who participate with dedication and heart.