Bruce Hammock, 1947-2026.
I never thought I'd write that.
UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce Hammock was an amazing scientist--a genius, really--an incredible mentor, and a good friend.
He passed on Monday, Jan. 5, at age 78, and the world will never be the same.
When I visited his office in the basement of Briggs Hall ("the garden level," he called it), I'd tell him: "Some day, you'll win the Nobel Prize."
Today we wrote about him on the UC Davis Entomology and Nematology website at https://entomology.ucdavis.edu/news/bruce-hammock-1947-2026.
He hasn't won the Nobel yet, but several quotes illustrate his legacy well:
“Bruce Hammock’s groundbreaking contributions to insect physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and experimental therapeutics have been recognized internationally, but here at UC Davis we also had the privilege of knowing him firsthand as a dedicated mentor, an outspoken advocate for students and faculty, and a generous and beloved colleague,” said Chancellor Gary May. "I was especially proud to present Bruce with the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in Innovation as part of the Chancellor’s Innovation Awards in 2020, and to later celebrate his recognition as recipient of the 2024 Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentoring Award. We are all better for having had Bruce as a member of our community for 46 years. I am deeply grateful for his enduring commitment to our campus, which helped shape who we are today and will continue to impact us in the years to come.”
'We Lost a Legend'
Said Joanna Chiu, professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Nematology: “Today (Jan. 5) we lost a legend. Bruce will not only be remembered as a uniquely brilliant and extraordinary scientist and thinker, but also a kind and generous individual and a fierce supporter of his mentees and colleagues. We will miss him dearly."
“Bruce was the backbone of the department for decades,” said UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey, a UC Davis doctoral alumna, former interim department chair, and a 34-year director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology. “His lab, students and staff were internationally recognized, coming up with landmark discoveries, including increasing the efficacy of pesticides and understanding the toxic effects , the biochemistry of inflammation, and novel pain treatments, among other things. Despite multiple honors and recognition, Bruce was a humble man, always willing to help and collaborate.”
'It's Fun Where the Bug Work Takes You'
Noted entomologist May Berenbaum, professor and head of the Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and editor-in-chief of the Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), emailed these comments today to UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal (used with permission):
“So sad--I really thought (hoped?) he was invincible. ‘Genius’ is a word that is overused, but for him it was entirely appropriate....Superhuman productivity--more than a thousand papers, 97,000 plus citations, more than 80 patents--and astonishing breadth and impact. And his work literally saved lives, big and small, ranging from Delta smelt to humans. What impressed me most about him was his fearlessness, scientifically but physically--I think I'm remembering correctly that several of his hobbies were activities no amount of money could induce me to attempt (rock-climbing, I think?)...And what I liked about him most, I think, was his kindness--he was always, always kind and encouraging to me and took every opportunity to correspond with me about PNAS, always positively. Here's a note he sent to me in April 2020: ‘Hope you are enjoying PNAS and you are keeping safe. On the side, we are trying to get our drug into COVID-2019 human clinical trials. It is fun where bug work takes you. –Best, Bruce’
We're all better off for where Bruce took bug work...I'll miss him…”
The remembrances from his former graduate students are a treasure to read. He meant so much to them, to all of us. And he always will.