In Memoriam: Dr. David Loose

David S. Loose, PhD, professor emeritus in the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, died April 10, 2024. He was 71.

He earned his bachelor’s of science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his PhD from Stanford University, before completing his post-doctoral fellowship at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. In 1985, he moved to Houston to teach pharmacology and physiology at UTHealth Houston, where he taught over 6,000 students during the course of 34 years.

“David will always be remembered for his outstanding commitment to the education of our medical and graduate students at UTHealth. He always had the first hand up at any seminar, and his enthusiasm for science was contagious,” recalled Carmen Dessauer, PhD, chair of the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology.

“Dr. Loose was a very passionate scientist who loved molecular biology and also dabbled in IT,” remembered Anthony Garcia, DMO, Department of Pediatrics.  “He told me once that even if he won the lottery, he would never quit being a research investigator, ‘science is too much fun.’  I was blessed to work with Dr. Loose and Dr. Merril Overturf  when they discovered a group of New Zealand white rabbits that had the ability to metabolize cholesterol from the overexpression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase.”

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Hong Loose; son William and daughter-in-law Chelsea; granddaughters Adeline and Alessia, and stepdaughters Olivia and Cynthia.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters.

A visitation will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 4, followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m. at Winford Funeral Home (8514 Tybor Drive, Houston TX 77074).

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