Oct 14, 2015

Remembering Richard Miller

Alumni, Faculty & Staff
Professor Emeritus Richard Miller

Professor Emeritus Richard Miller

The University of Toronto is remembering a distinguished researcher and the founding Chair of Immunology, Professor Emeritus Richard Miller. Miller passed away this weekend at the age of 77. 

Miller joined the Department of Medical Biophysics in 1967 after earning degrees at the University of Alberta and the California Institute of Technology.  He was also a senior scientist at the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI). He went on to hold a variety of leadership roles, including serving as the first chair of the Department of Immunology (1984-1990), the Acting Vice President of Research at OCI (1996-1997) and chair of Medical Biophysics (1992-2000).

Miller’s research focused on T cell tolerance and natural immunity. His lab developed a new approach for the fractionation of lymphocyte subsets, which elucidated the mechanisms behind T cell regulation and natural killer cell function. For his work, Miller received the Purkinje Medal from the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences in 1988 and was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1994. In his honour, the Department of Immunology established the Richard Miller Award, which recognizes an immunology student who has provided important leadership within the Department and/or the University.

At Miller’s request, no funeral will be held. Arrangements are being made to hold a memorial tribute on November 28, 2015 at the University of Toronto. He is remembered by his son George, his partner Patricia, granddaughter Sophie, sister Anne and her children. In his honour, the U of T flag will be lowered to half-mast on Tuesday October 20, 2015.Â