Mark Pypaert, Ph.D.

In Memoriam: 1963-2008

Marc Pypaert was born in 1963 in Belgium.  He received his B.Sc. in Zoology in 1985 from the Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix in Belgium.  In 1991, he received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee, Scotland, for a thesis entitled: Morphological Studies of Endocytosis in Interphase and Mitotic Cells.

Following his Ph.D., Marc spent a long and diverse career developing an interest and high-level of expertise in the area of membrane cell biology and, in particular, electron microscopy of a variety of cells, especially those undergoing mitosis.  Following postdoctoral work at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now Cancer Research UK) in London, the Biozentrum of Basel University, Switzerland, the International Institute of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, the Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, and the Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix in Namur, Belgium, Marc became recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in quantitative immuno-electron microscopy.  In 1999, he was recruited to Yale University to serve as Director of the Electron Microscopy Facility at the Yale University School of Medicine.  He was also a Research Scientist in the Department of Cell Biology.

Under Marc’s leadership, the Electron Microscopy Facility, a component of the Yale Center for Cellular and Molecular Imaging, experienced a renaissance.  He expanded the Facility’s scope and technical capability, helped to increase recognition of the overall importance of electron microscopy at the Medical School, made high quality electron microscopy easily accessible to the Yale scientific community, as well as making major contributions to the training and teaching of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.  He also participated as a key contributor to a large number of research projects on basic science and medical topics.  Over his career, Marc published more than 75 peer-reviewed scientific papers in a variety of top-tier scientific journals, many of which have received international recognition.  

Marc has also served as president of the Connecticut Electron Microscopy Society and of the Ridge Top Swim and Tennis Club. He was a member of the Frontline Christian Church and formerly a member of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church.

Another aspect of Marc’s life that is probably not known to many was his creative interest in photography.  In 2004, he became a member of the City-Wide Open Studios. While discussing some of his work, he was once quoted as saying, “I have spent most of my professional life looking at the very small, and so it is not a surprise that my artwork also focuses mostly on small objects that I photograph using macro-lenses. The type of photography I love most is abstract and experimental, whether in black and white or in color.”

Marc held many exhibits of his artwork, most recently at the Yale-New Haven Shoreline Medical Center’s Art Place on the Shoreline in Guilford in April of this year. This exhibit will be in place until the end of September. We encourage you to take a look at some of the wonderful and creative images that Marc has produced, which can be viewed on his website:

http://www.folioto.com/Gal1240_Marc_Pypaert_s_Gallery.asp

Marc is survived by his wife Christine Deloyer and their children, Celine, Elise, Laure, Nathan and Manon, his mother, and by three brothers and two sisters.

Marc’s early death from a long illness was borne with optimism and fortitude, a manifestation of his deeply held beliefs. We will greatly miss his enthusiasm, kindness and good humor. 

Memorial contributions in Marc's name may be sent to the Pypaert Children's Education Fund, c/o Frontline Christian Church, 2340 State St., Hamden, CT 06517.  Contributions may also be made to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT06405.

News & Events