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Dr. L. Stephen Frawley dies June 27

MUSC’s Molecular Dynamics Laboratory director and professor of cell biology and anatomy L. Stephen Frawley, Ph.D., died June 27.

Dr. L. Stephen Frawley

Dr. Frawley was mentor and advisor to numerous graduate students, post doctoral fellows and visiting scientists throughout his career. He concentrated his research on prolactin for which he received the International Sandoz Prize in 1988. He was recognized worldwide and was frequently invited to speak at national and international conferences.

He was an avid supporter of youth soccer in Charleston.

Dr. Frawley was born Aug. 17, 1949, in Boston, Mass., a son of Leo Joseph Frawley and Matilda Comaschi Frawley. 

Dr. Frawley received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., masters in zoology and a doctorate in animal physiology at Clemson University. He received his post-doctoral training at the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“Dr. Frawley was an integral part of the research faculty not only of the department but of the Medical University,” said Timothy P. Fitzharris, Ph.D., professor and associate chairman of the MUSC Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. “During his tenure here he received continued funding from NIH and other agencies as well to support his many studies in the area of endocrine metabolism, most notably releasing factors from the pituitary. 

“One of his seminal observations was recording in real time the basal level of rat prolactin gene expression using a sophisticated fluorescent tag on cultured cells. 

“He was a mentor to several students in the MSTP program as well as the College of Graduate Studies. He liked to participate in the small group sessions of the freshman medical cell biology course as well as the rigorous first year graduate program. Perhaps a stern task master to a new student, he always had his eye on the science, which for him was the only thing that mattered.”

Cell Biology and Anatomy lab director and research associate Bill Faught said Frawley was one of the most successful scientists and one of the most well-funded investigators on campus.  “Of the scientists he had mentored in his career, most have gone on to establish their own laboratories and their careers are flourishing.  He was a driven person and held high standards for not only himself, but also for those in his laboratory. We are all better for that.”

Faught said that Dr. Frawley had a talent for using innovative approaches to answer important questions, a talent that allowed his laboratory to be “incredibly productive over his 16-year tenure at MUSC.”

He said Frawley was also dedicated to his family, which included frequent trips with his daughters to soccer tournaments across the Southeast.

A Dr. Steve Frawley Scholarship Fund has been established. Those wishing to contribute may send donations in care of Stevens Inc., 111 Center St., Little Rock, AR 72201.

Steve meant a great deal to me as a mentor, a colleague and a friend. After training in Dr. Frawley’s laboratory, I was able to work side by side with him for several years on the faculty as I established my own laboratory. During this time, Steve personified all of the attributes of a successful scientist and faculty member, unbounded enthusiasm for problem solving, extensive dedication to the task at hand, and unyielding honesty in scientific and university affairs. 

I was saddened when I moved my laboratory to a new location and could not interact with Steve on a day to day basis. However, I was overjoyed when the opportunity to rejoin him came a few years later and help him through his final years. 

During this career, Steve functioned at a national and international level that was matched by few in the field of endocrinology.  I hope to be able to honor Steve and continue the work in the laboratory that contributed so much to the university, the state, and the nation.
Fredric R. Boockfor, Ph.D., Cell Biology and Anatomy

Stephen was a highly principled man and a superb scientist. I  have known him since he arrived on campus, starting without a moment’s hesitation to build up a most powerful research group.  Very well funded through several NIH grants, he attacked problems of endocrinology at the molecular control level. 

Many will know his science and the awards he won on account of it. But there was another, more private person of great moral strength and commitment to principles that made his life not always easy. This was the man who would put incredibly high standards even onto the way he was living the last weeks of his life. I  lost a great collaborator and, most of all, a friend. 
Christian Schwabe, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Medical University has lost one of its finest: Steve was a voracious grant-getter, an inspiring teacher, a tough, articulate and well-informed academician, a prolific author of cutting-edge science, and a constant, loyal, and thoughtful friend for many years. The fortitude and grace and even humor with which Steve fought his illness set an unforgettable example for all of us.
Adam Smolka, Ph.D.,Gastroenterology

Steve Frawley was a superb scientist who asked major research questions and was very focused on finding answers. I was impressed with his ability for getting to the bottom of things and finding out what's important in his efforts. 

He had the ability to always see the forest for the trees and always got the big picture in every facet of his work. I think he was one of the top scientists at MUSC who had an international reputation. I'd rank him in the top tier of researchers here at MUSC. He also made a good transition working in cancer research. 

We worked together in an HCC grant to create a state-of-the-art system to measure gene expression within breast cancer cells in real-time. Although a complex individual, Steve was very focused on his science and in what he believed was important. I'll miss everything from sharing in our scientific discussions to other interests like boating and his children's interest in soccer.
Daniel Fernandes, Ph.D., D.Sc., Biochemistry 

Steve was never more excited than when new data and new ideas were coming forth from his or other labs. He took scientific chances based on sound reasoning and never backed away from admitting having taken a wrong turn or a scientific misjudgement. On the other hand his willingness to take scientific chances brought him and the field much success and put him in an elite category of scientists. 

I will miss Steve for the enthusiasm he brought to science and to me. He was a good man with very high standards for all those around him, for which he set an example.
Eric Lacy, Ph.D., Cell Biology and Anatomy