In Memoriam: Frank L. Margolis, PhD

The University of Maryland School of Medicine community mourns the passing of longtime  neurobiology faculty member and beloved mentor, Frank L. Margolis, PhD. Dr. Margolis passed away on November 12, 2025.

Dr. Margolis joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine as a professor in 1995 and found great meaning in guiding and shaping young scientists. He was an internationally recognized olfactory system researcher and author of more than 200 publications; his lab studied the responses of sensory systems, with a particular focus on the olfactory system. For his excellence in the field, he received numerous honors including the Frank Allison Linville's R.H. Wright Award in Olfactory Research and the Olfactory Research Fund's "Scientific Sense of Smell Award”. He also served as the UMB commencement speaker in 2015.

Before joining UMSOM, Dr. Margolis was the Head of the Laboratory of Chemosensory Neurobiology at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, where he worked for over 25 years. He was a pioneer in studies of the molecular basis of olfaction. Among his many discoveries is the identification of the olfactory marker protein, a key component of olfactory neurons. This discovery launched hundreds of studies in laboratories across the world and resulted in fundamental discoveries on the functions and dysfunctions of the olfactory system.

Dr. Margolis formally retired in February 2015 and served as a Professor Emeritus, continuing to serve on several PhD thesis committees. He was the director of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and of the Molecular Medicine MS Program. He was also a mentor to many faculty members.

Just before his passing, Dr. Margolis established an endowed fund for the Department of Neurobiology, named the Joyce W. and Frank L. Margolis Scholars and Travel Award in Neurobiology, to ensure that future generations will continue to have access to the resources, opportunities, and mentorship needed to excel as scientists and leaders. The gift honors his late wife, Joyce Margolis who also shared his deep commitment to guiding and supporting trainees.