With much grief, we share that scientist and educator, Alfred Dennis Winer, PhD, passed away on Nov. 16, 2023, at the age of 97, surrounded by loved ones.
Dr. Winer joined the University of Kentucky in 1960 as a founding faculty member of the College of Medicine, serving as professor in the department of biochemistry for more than three decades.
Over the years, he became a favorite professor to hundreds of medical students, earning the University award for Best Teacher in 1979. As a scientist, Dr. Winer’s research focus was primarily in experimental medicine and biology, a domain in which he made many contributions to our understanding of the complex enzyme reactions occurring in the human body.
Before his tenure at the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Winer earned advanced degrees from Purdue, Northeastern, Duke, and Harvard Universities. He also served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 in Korea and later as the director of biochemistry at Walter Reed Hospital. While receiving his doctorate in biochemistry from Harvard, he met his wife of over 70 years.
Dr. Winer is survived by his wife, Miroslava “Billy” Nikitovitch-Winer, PhD, who joined the UK College of Medicine in 1960 alongside her husband, and later served as chair of the anatomy and neurobiology department for several years.
Dr. Winer is also survived by two children, Nick and Alexandra, and four grandchildren.
He will be dearly missed and always celebrated for the lasting legacies he leaves behind.
A scholarship has been established in the department of biochemistry in honor of Dr. Winer. Contributions to the scholarship can be made online by visiting this link.