In Memoriam: Prof. Makio Ogawa

Dr. Makio Ogawa, a pioneer and trailblazer in stem cell research, passed away on February 6, 2024, at his home in New Hampshire, just after celebrating his 84th birthday with a spirited online game of Go (a game much like checkers); his wife Mary-Jane found him peacefully at rest after he did not respond to a routine lunchtime call. Makio always worked with great energy, striving for scientific advancement and endeavoring to provide chances for the next generation of scientists. Over the course of his career, he influenced so many researchers and physicians that his absence will be keenly felt. Makio's contributions to experimental hematology, and his dedication to the protegees whom he directly or indirectly mentored, trained, or influenced, within the International Society of Experimental Hematology (ISEH), are truly remarkable. Makio was renowned for his groundbreaking work in both experimental hematology and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) research, and his contributions were widely recognized, earning him the William Dameshek Prize (1991) from the American Society of Hematology (ASH). His impact was international, as he served as a mentor to over 40 postdoctoral trainees in the Ogawa Laboratory at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, where he was critical to the integration of Japanese and American research efforts. Additionally, he served as a regional editor for the International Journal of Hematology (IJH), the official journal of the Japanese Society of Hematology (JSH), and a president of International Society of Experimental Hematology (ISEH, 1990). His article "Be Ambitious" (RinshoKetsueki, 59:244-249, 2018) has been widely influential in the scientific community, and is often cited for its insights. Toshio Suda, one of Makio's earliest trainees, had the privilege of meeting Makio almost half a century ago at a symposium on aplastic anemia held on Mount Hiei, a mountain located on the border of Shiga and Kyoto Prefectures in Japan, renowned as a center for Buddhist ascetic practices and training. At that time, stem cell research was in its infancy, and faced significant challenges in the establishment of myeloid colonies, let alone the formation of erythroid colonies. Makio identified the issues as stemming from defective culture incubators and/or bovine fetal serum used in the culture process, and successfully addressed them. As a result, he became one of the pioneering PIs to successfully grow massive erythroblast colonies from peripheral blood. His pioneering work in erythroid colony formation from cord blood and peripheral blood, which showcased the existence of HSCs in circulating blood, soon drew widespread attention. His subsequent status as a rising scientific star inspired many young Japanese hematologists to follow in his footsteps. Makio's journey began at Osaka University Medical School. Despite his deep respect for his mentor, Professor Yuichi Yamamura, he decided to further his pursuit of a practical, clinically-oriented approach by undergoing clinical training in English at Yokosuka Naval Hospital. Subsequently, he moved to the United States and became a clinical fellow at Dartmouth College under the guidance of Dr. Ross McIntyre. A poignant encounter with a patient suffering from IgE myeloma on Christmas Eve proved pivotal to his professional future. Makio reached out to the well-known immunologist Dr. Kimishige Ishizaka, who at that time was working in Denver, regarding a possible career in "serious" stem cell research, and soon found himself working under the mentorship of Professor Ernest McClulloch. Professor McClulloch proposed the concept of stem cell biology in 1961 at the University of Toronto, which was a mecca for stem cell research then (and now). Toronto housed brilliant minds like Drs. Norman Iscove and Connie Eaves, an exceptional researcher the ISEH community also recently lost (Kent D nevertheless, it remains a testament to the legend of Makio's unwavering commitment to scientific inquiry, a legacy perpetuated by those he inspired. Richard Stanley, Professor Emeritus of Developmental 823-8292Ogawa M. Differentiation and Proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. Blood 81, 1993; 2844-2853 Recommendation of Dr. Ogawa Toru Nakano1 1Osaka University Dr. Makio Ogawa was a senior colleague at Osaka University Medical School and, to me, a figure akin to a deity. I began my research in hematology in 1984 and around that time, Dr. Ogawa and his postdoc, Dr. Toshio Suda proposed a stochastic model of hematopoietic cell differentiation. I came to respect Dr. Ogawa from the bottom of my heart due to the hypothesis that overturned the conventional view. Several years later, at the ISEH meeting held in Tokyo, I had the chance to sit next to Dr. Ogawa on the bus to a recreational event. I vividly remember how delighted I was and the various conversations we had. Dr. YukihikoKitamura, who was my supervisor, had a close relationship with Dr. Ogawa, so when I was looking for a place to study abroad, I turned to Dr. Ogawa for help. Ultimately, I became a postdoc in Dr. Thomas Graf's laboratory, one of the laboratories he recommended. If it were not for Dr. Ogawa's introduction, my subsequent career as a researcher would have been significantly different. Even after that, he always warmly encouraged me whenever we met at conferences. I still treasure the congratulatory letter he sent me when I became a professor in 1995. Despite his repeated invitations to come and visit South Carolina, unfortunately, I never had the chance to go. My heartfelt condolences go out to him. * * * * * * * Memory of Dr. Makiko Ogawa Sam Shimosaka1 1Chairperson Asian Cellular Therapy Organization It was a shocking news for me when I was informed from Charleston Group member that Dr. Makio Ogawa suddenly passed away. I had appointment to have a dinner in Tokyo when he will visit Japan in March. Dr. Makio Ogawa and I have been working together for the research in stem cell biology. He was the philosopher in stem cell biology. Early 1980's we started working together. Single cell assay is one his key achievement in hematology research. I was helped by his work because I have been involved in the research and development of hematopoietic growth factors. We joined stem cell biology meeting in Tuebingen, Germany together which was organized by Profs. Lothar Kanz and Willem Fibbe and their friends. After his retirement, I visited his home in New Hampshire and enjoyed time together with him and his wife, Mary Jane. His smile was so attractive. Many lady scientists were enchanted with his smile. We used to have nice time for dinner with friends at the AHS annual meetings. He trained so many young hematologists and many of them became leaders in the hematology. He was the excellent teacher and researcher. We lost most important stem cell biologist. With his wife, Mary Jane. in New Hampshire * * * * * * * In memoriam by TPO researchers Takashi Kato, D.Sc.1 1Molecular Physiology, Department of Biology,Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University In 1987, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Takaji Miyake, who was trying to purify thrombopoietin (TPO) from the urine of patients with aplastic anemia at the University of California Santa Barbara. Dr. Miyake was a brilliant scientist who successfully purified erythropoietin with Dr. Goldwasser at the University of Chicago. However, Dr. Miyake was not a sociable scientist or a person who praised others excessively. One day, however, Dr. Miyake introduced me at his home to Dr. Makio Ogawa, saying that of all the researchers he had met, Dr. Ogawa was the most trustworthy. Since then, Dr. Makio Ogawa has become a respected scientist for me. The purification of TPO in California was unsuccessful. Later, at the ISEH symposium in Minneapolis in 1994, my colleague at Kirin