In Memoriam: Alice J. Adler, PhD

Alice J. Adler, PhD, a pioneering biomedical researcher and former faculty member at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, passed away on February 7, 2026, at the age of 90.

Alice was a Senior Scientist and scientific advisor at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. She devoted her career to advancing our understanding of the retina and exploring potential treatments for eye diseases, including macular degeneration. Over four decades, she made significant contributions to the field and embraced innovative approaches to research.

Raised in the Bronx, Alice earned her chemistry degree from Barnard College and completed her PhD in physical chemistry at Harvard under George Kistiakowsky. She pursued postdoctoral training at MIT and Oxford and worked as a biochemist at Brandeis University before joining Schepens in 1976.

Alice gracefully balanced a distinguished career in vision research with raising her three children—Kyle, Andrew, and Carrie—alongside her late husband, David Adler, a theoretical physicist. In recognition of her remarkable legacy, the Alice J. Adler Fellowship at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear was established in her honor. This Harvard Medical School fellowship supports vision researchers and clinician-scientists who are building early careers while navigating significant personal responsibilities—reflecting the balance Alice exemplified throughout her life.

“Alice was a giving colleague, trusted friend, and dedicated mentor. She was always willing to draw on her experience to support junior faculty—carefully reviewing their proposals and offering thoughtful, handwritten suggestions. Many of our colleagues advanced their careers thanks to her generosity and steady encouragement. As a biochemist and the mother of three children, she was a trailblazer for women striving to balance family life with a career in science," shared Pat D'Amore.