It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael E. Nesheim, Professor of Biochemistry at Queen’s University

Mike was well known to many of us at the Centre for Blood Research as a friend, colleague and mentor. He was a truly unique individual who was always excited to consider concepts outside of the box and to share these ideas with his colleagues and students. Over his career, Mike made numerous seminal contributions that have impacted on our understanding of the coagulation system. To name but a couple, he was the first to purify and characterize the pivotal clotting factor V. He also discovered a novel mode by which clot solubilization is regulated by a plasma protein which he named TAFI (Thrombin Activable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor).

Canada has lost a great scientist and educator.  But Mike leaves us with an astounding legacy of multiple scientific advances, a nidus for future generations of young investigators, along with wonderful memories of a gracious, gentle and generous man.

Queen’s University is honouring Mike by flying flags at half mast. A link to the Queen’s University announcement and donations in lieu of flowers is provided:

http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/flags-lowered-professor-nesheim