Dr. George M. Martin (1927-2022) was an internationally recognized foundational contributor to somatic cell genetics and the science of aging, particularly the genetics of Alzheimer's disease and Werner's syndrome. He graduated from the University of Washington with his B.S. and M.D. degrees, and after interning at the Montreal General Hospital and doing his residency at the University of Chicago, he returned to Seattle and began his faculty career in the University of Washington's Department of Pathology. Martin's passion for expanding his research skills and knowledge through fellowships, scholarly awards, and field research led him to opportunities in Scotland, France, England, India, and Germany, among other places, but UW was Martin's home base for the rest of his life.

Dr. Martin held many leadership positions throughout his life. He was the Founding Director of the Cytogenetics Laboratory, the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Washington. He served on several national advisory boards and councils and was the Scientific Director of the American Federation on Aging Research (AFAR) for a decade. He was also the recipient of many awards and accolades, including the Fondation IPSEN Longevity prize, the American Aging Association's Research Medal and Distinguished Scientist award, the Prusanski Award of the American College of Medical Genetics, and many others. Martin trained and supported countless young researchers, and he and his wife of 52 years, Julie, hosted frequent guests and held parties for hundreds of graduate and medical students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and visiting scientists from around the world. Martin retired in 2002 but remained active as a Professor Emeritus, continuing to apply for and receive grants, write papers, and travel to conferences. From a tribute by Steven N. Austad in Springer GeroScience: "Many of us heard him say half-facetiously that his goal in life was to die funded, something that, in fact, he did."

Source: National Library of Medicine, "George M. Martin: tribute and personal remembrance", https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10400482/, accessed March 12, 2026.