University Times

Jeffrey A. Kant, professor of pathology and human genetics in the School of Medicine, died Sept. 29, 2012, after a brief illness.

In addition to his faculty appointment, he was director of the Division of Molecular Diagnostics in UPMC’s Department of Molecular Diagnostics, director of the molecular genetic pathology fellow program and director of the clinical molecular genetics program.

Kant was 65.

He earned his AB degree in biology and chemistry from Princeton, and completed his MD and PhD in biochemistry at the University of Chicago.

After an internship and residency in pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Washington, Kant received a fellowship appointment in the hematopathology section of the Laboratory of Pathology at the National Cancer Institute.

In 1996, after 12 years on the faculty at Penn, he joined the Pitt faculty as a professor of pathology and human genetics and UPMC as director of the molecular genetics section and co-director of the Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Pathology. In 1997 he was named director of the Division of Molecular Diagnostics. He also served as director of the pathology residency training program, 1998-2003.

George Michalopoulos, Maud L. Menten Professor of Pathology and department chair, said Kant was a real eminence in his field. Kant established one of the first molecular diagnostics laboratories in a pathology department in the country and was instrumental in helping to establish the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP); he served as the organization’s first president. “He was the most senior figure” in the organization, Michalopoulos said.

Kant had broad diagnostic expertise in molecular applications applied to human genetics, hematologic neoplasia and molecular microbiology. He pioneered an active utilization review program in the division around test choice and test ordering patterns to support UPMC clinicians and promote cost-effective use of molecular diagnostics assays.

He was a frequent lecturer on emerging trends in molecular diagnostics, including regulatory and economic aspects of the specialty, use of genetic tests and companion diagnostics.

His most recent research interest centered on the development and application of molecular diagnostics assays and their appropriate use in patient management.

In 2003, he was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “for distinguished leadership in the development of molecular diagnostics as a clinical discipline within the field of pathology.”

In addition to serving on many committees for AMP, he was very active in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and numerous other professional organizations.

In 2012, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from CAP. The organization also recognized him in 2009 with the President’s Honor Award for “particular help … above and beyond the line of duty” in assisting the CAP president.

He was the first recipient of AMP’s leadership award, 2005. He won the Peter C. Nowell Teaching Award at Penn in 1993. He was an established investigator of the American Heart Association, 1985-90, and in the medical scientist training program at the University of Chicago, 1968-75.

In addition to contributing to dozens of published papers, Kant served as an editor or editorial board member of several journals.

He was certified by the American Board of Pathology, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and the American Board of Medical Genetics/Clinical Molecular Genetics.

Michalopoulos said Kant’s death has left a big hole in the department. “Everyone feels like an orphan; everyone was dependent on him,” Michalopoulos said of his colleague, whom he described as always friendly and smiling, with a great sense of humor.

Kant is survived by his wife, Julie Kant; his sons, Benjamin and Peter; his brothers, William, Christopher and Alan, and grandchildren Rebecca, Talia, Max and Nathaniel.

—N.J. Brown