It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Qutayba Hamid. Dr. Hamid served as Director of the Meakins-Christie Labs from 2008 to 2017. During that period his laboratory served as a globally recognized centre of excellence and training ground in the field of obstructive airways disease, attracting countless students, fellows and clinicians from all over the world.
Dr. Hamid received his MD from Mosul University, Iraq, and his PhD from the University of London, UK. He joined the Meakins-Christie Labs at McGill University in 1993. He performed landmark work identifying new molecular targets for the treatment of obstructive airways disease, and published over 500 scientific articles in prominent international journals in addition to editing major textbooks in Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology and Respiratory Physiology. Dr. Hamid held the prestigious James McGill Chair as well as the Strauss Chair in Respiratory Medicine, and in 2013 was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2018, Dr. Hamid was awarded the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to fighting respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy. Following his directorship of the Meakins-Christie Labs, Dr. Hamid took on a new challenge as Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Sharjah, UAE. In this role, he continued his efforts to promote scientific advancement, education, and high quality health care.
Qutayba was well known not only for his professional drive, “can do” attitude, and scientific accomplishments, but also for his good-natured humour and ability to bring people together. He was truly a “force of nature” whose personal and professional influence has been both far-reaching and impactful.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Qutayba’s family during this difficult time. We would appreciate any tributes to Qutayba from his former trainees and colleagues, which will be posted on the Meakins-Christie website.
Basil Petrof
Tributes
The following tributes were sent to the Meakins-Christie Laboratories. They are listed alphabetically.
It is sad to hear the passing of Qutayba. I had the opportunity to meet him when we were both working at the Meakins during the years 1994-96 but in different projects. He was really a nice guy.
José Almirall
Professor Qutayba Hamid gave me the opportunity to join the Meakins-Christie Laboratories in 2003, an experience that marked my career. He opened my eyes to many aspects of research, and I am deeply grateful for everything I learned under his guidance and for the trust he placed in me. His curiosity and passion for medicine and research, combined with a sharp business sense, guided an exceptional career. He was committed to serving the entire McGill community, and his positive impact on science extended far beyond our borders. Beyond his scientific legacy, what I remember most is that he was an open-minded and generous man who genuinely cared about the well-being of others. I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family. His influence lives on through the many people who had the privilege of crossing his path.
Rest in peace Dr. Hamid,Séverine Audusseau
My sincere sympathies to his family and friends.
There is no doubt that he forged, as so many others, the way I work on a daily basis, always striving to do better and to develop strong collaborations.
He was passionate with research and it was so tangible.
Thank you Qutayba for the lessons that you taught me and the care you showed.
Qutayba’s absence will be deeply felt, but his influence will remains with us every day.Sincerely,
Celine Bergeron
May his soul rest in peace.
I had the privilege of doing part of my postdoctoral work under his supervision and know him for more than two decades. He was an exceptional mentor. He supported and advised me throughout my career. He was a very kind person who was always ready to find solutions and help others. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations.
Jamila Chakir
Qutayba was a great scientist who made us all better.
I still cherish my time as a fellow at the Meakins-Christie under his supervision 25 years ago.
He was great at giving us responsibilities while making sure we learned as much as we could.
His good humour and openness made us feel part of a team.Condolences to all at the Meakins-Christie.
Patrick Daigneault
The passing of Dr. Hamid is very sad news. He was a great scientist and a superb human being. Please extend my condolences to Dr. Petrof and all members of the Meakins-Christie Labs.
Marc Decramer
It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Dr. Hamid—one of the most profound mentors and cherished friends I’ve ever been blessed to know.
True mentors like him don’t just teach skills; they shape destinies. They see potential in us that we sometimes can’t see in ourselves, and they have the courage and compassion to push us toward it, even when the path feels uncertain. Dr. Hamid was that rare soul who believed in me especially during one of the biggest transitions of my life.
He was the biggest supporter when I decided to step away from the hospital world into private industry. While others questioned or hesitated, he encouraged me without reservation. His unwavering faith in my abilities and his quiet confidence gave me the strength to take that leap. Because of him, I grew not just professionally, but personally…learning resilience, integrity, and the value of following one’s calling.Our last exchange was in January 2022, when he reached out simply to check in and see how I was doing. That small act of care—typical of his thoughtful, generous spirit—stayed with me, a reminder of how deeply he valued the people in his life.
Dr. Hamid, thank you for your wisdom, your kindness, your belief in others, and the countless ways you made the world better, one life at a time. You will forever hold a sacred place in my heart.
Rest in eternal peace, dear mentor and friend. You are profoundly missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family and all who loved him.
Cathy Fragiskatos
I am very sad to know that Dr.Qutayba Hamid passed away last week. Many Japanese research fellows were fortunate to work in his lab and obtained cutting edge science tools. His ex-fellows continued their research careers and many now serve as leading professors in Respirology in Japan.
Qutayba, please lay in eternal and peaceful sleep.Yoshinosuke Fukuchi ; Research Fellow in 1974-76 at MCL under Prof. P.T. Macklem directorship
To my fellow Meakins Christie colleagues and friends,
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Hamid.
I had the opportunity to work under his co supervision when I began my post doctoral studies at the Meakins Christie Laboratories in 2010. Dr. Hamid’s scientific accomplishments speak for themselves, he was a prolific researcher, a strong leader, and an exceptional mentor. He was also a talented businessman, with a remarkably sharp and thoughtful approach to the business side of research.There was so much to learn from him, and I will forever remain grateful for his time, his teachings and his support. Despite his many responsibilities and very busy schedule, I remember how approachable Dr. Hamid was and how he always took the time to interact with me and with other fellows. Dr. Hamid also had a keen sense of humour, which made his presence even more memorable.
I carry wonderful memories of my time at the Meakins Christie Laboratories, and I offer my sincere condolences to Dr. Hamid’s family and friends during these difficult times.
Best regards,
Christian Giordano
I would like to thank Dr Hamid from the bottom of my heart. And please rest in peace.
Daiso Ihaku
I always thought of Qutayba as so much more then just an outstanding scientist. Qutayba had such an infectious enthusiasm for everything he did. The nice thing about infection is that we will all be left better for having known him.
My thought are with his family, and also everyone on this mailing list; he made us into a family.
Mark Inman
To the Al Heialy family,
I first met Dr. Hamid when I worked at the Meakins-Christie Labs in 2012-2013 as an administrative coordinator and was kindly welcomed by everyone there. My memories of Dr. Hamid, who was the director at that time, were very fond indeed as he gave me the opportunity to learn new skills in event planning and arranging/processing stipends for the graduate students working in the labs of the Meakins-Christie principal investigators. He made me feel like I was part of a close-knit family and for that, I will always cherish my time at the Meakins. He was a truly generous, kind, and wonderful person who steered the Meakins-Christie Labs to the position they are at today – a renowned, international institution known for its astounding respiratory research activities and for the diverse group of graduate students and faculty who work there and have called it their home. Dr. Hamid will be greatly missed for his humor, his intellectualism, his esteemed patronage of McGill University, and most importantly, his commendable research work. I would like to sincerely convey my condolences to Dr. Hamid’s family for the loss of an admired figure who worked tremendously hard in researching and finding treatments for the most serious of respiratory diseases. May his memory remain eternal in the hearts of everyone who knew him.Stavroula (Roula) Kalantzis
I am saddened to hear of Qutayba’s passing. He was a great scientist and contributor to the Meakins.
Suzanne Kelly
He was a great scientist and I am happy to have known him personally!
I also was privileged to use his office during my visiting professorship in April 2019!
Please, forward my deepest sympathy to his family!Meinhard Kneussl
Qutayba was an inspiration in so many things he did. He had a profound and lasting impact on respiratory health and science, on numerous learners and colleagues and on life at large.
May his soul rest in peace.
Martin Kolb
Qutayba was an amazing scientist, mentor and friend. I am so thankful that some of us were able to see him last year in Dubai and celebrate his illustrious career. We lost a great man who will be missed.
Monica Kraft
It is with great sadness that I have heard of the passing of Dr Qutayba Hamid. We lost a giant. I met Qutayba at the Meakins-Christie Labs in the late nineties. He was a rigorous and generous mentor. He had a deep understanding of respiratory diseases and was always ready to share his knowledge. I remember him as a very pragmatic person always offering well informed advice. He will be missed.
Catherine Lemiere
A tragic loss for science and for all of us who knew him.
Bruce Mazer
I was very saddened to hear that Dr. Hamid has passed away. It has been 30 years since I spent a year in his laboratory, yet I still think of him with great affection. He was a fundamental figure in both my scientific and personal development. I remember him as a smiling and kind man who took care of us fellows and constantly encouraged us.
Sometimes we stayed in the lab until late in the evening, and he would give us a ride to make sure we got home safely. Other times we met with the research team in the cafeteria to discuss ongoing projects, and there was always a warm, family-like atmosphere.
We laughed a great deal the day he advised us to follow his motto: “Say yes to everybody and do whatever you want.” You have no idea how many times I have quoted it.
When I wrote to him that unfortunately I would have to leave research to go into teaching, he replied that whatever I chose to do, I would do it well. That meant a great deal to me at that moment.
I hope that wherever he is now, he is at peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family, and warm regards to you and all the Meakins staff.
Kind regards,
Deborah Miotto
It is with sadness that I just learned of the passing of Qutayba Hamid.
I want to acknowledge our deep appreciation of his contributions and condolences to his close friends and family.
Moto
I was deeply saddened to hear about Dr. Hamid’s passing. He was not only a great scientist, but also someone I will always remember for his warmth and humanity.
I especially admired how, in scientific discussions, Professor Hamid could be sharp and direct. At the same time, in everyday interactions, he was always open, kind, and deeply attentive to us fellows, which made him such a special mentor. He was a wonderful mentor to me personally, and the one who truly showed me the path as a clinical researcher. I owe him more than I can easily put into words.
I had the pleasure of inviting Dr. Hamid as an invited speaker to the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Respiratory Society in 2013, chaired by Professor Michiaki Mishima of Kyoto University, where I served as Secretary General. I still clearly remember the friendly gathering afterward with Japanese fellows who had trained at Meakins, sharing drinks, laughter, and good conversation together.
I will miss him greatly, and I feel deeply grateful to have known him and learned from him.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and all who were close to him.
Best regards,
Shigeo Muro
I received the news of Professor Qutayba Hamid’s passing with profound sorrow and reflection.
In 1993, when I began my career as a pulmonologist, I encountered Professor Hamid’s seminal publications on bronchial asthma. Inspired by his work, I initiated bronchial mucosal biopsy studies in patients with asthma, an endeavor that became the foundation of my academic and clinical interests. That encounter marked the beginning of my lifelong intellectual connection with him.
Since 1997, it has been one of the greatest treasures of my life to conduct research under Professor Hamid’s mentorship. Through this mentorship, he taught me not only the science of asthma and allergy, but also how to think rigorously and responsibly as a physician, a researcher, and an educator.
Professor Hamid was an outstanding scientist and scholar, and above all, a mentor of exceptional generosity, wisdom, and humanity. His intellectual rigor, warmth, and unwavering commitment to academic medicine left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of learning from him.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all who mourn his passing.
May Allah grant him eternal peace and mercy, and may his teachings continue to guide those who follow the path of science, medicine, and education.
With deepest sympathy,
Yutaka Nakamura
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Qutayba Hamid. I had the privilege of training under his guidance for two years at the Meakins-Christie Labs, and he was an exceptional mentor and leader. His scientific vision, generosity toward trainees, and warm personality left a lasting impression on me.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. He will be greatly missed, and his legacy will continue through the many people he inspired around the world.
With deepest sympathy,
Michiyoshi Nishioka
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr Hamid’s passing.
I had the privilege of being one of his last postdoctoral researchers, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for everything he gave me during that time. Working under his guidance was a period of extraordinary professional and personal growth for me.
I am profoundly thankful for the trust he placed in me, for his esteem, for the many long conversations we shared, and for all that he taught me, both scientifically and humanly.His mentorship, generosity, and intellectual curiosity have left a lasting mark on the way I think, work, and approach research and life.
I will always carry his lessons with me, and I will remember him with deep respect and gratitude.
With sincere condolences,
Alice Panariti
Joy and I are so sad to hear of this news. I developed a scientific relationship with Qutayba in the 1990s, as his research was essential in elucidating molecular and cellular elements of asthma, and together we focused on chemokine expression. Qutayba invited me to his annual winter meeting and always welcomed my wife Joy and our young children to come-attend. We learned a great deal from him, and brushed up our skiing skills. Through this, we all developed a fond relationship, primarily due to Qutayba’s kindness, generosity, charm and true affection. Qutayba was a quintessential man, a true scholar, family man, provider to those in need, caring physician, mentor, and gentleman. His impact endures.
Sincerely,
Marc Rothernberg
Qutayba was one of the warmest, kindest, most generous and brilliant scientists in our field. He was a great organizer, a catalyst of education, collaborations and development of novel understandings. He was a fabulous colleague and a dear friend. I will always hold his memory with love in a special place in my heart.
My condolences to his family, colleagues and our field, as a great man has passed on.
Bob Schleimer
I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with Dr. Qutayba Hamid, as a graduate student at the Meakins-Christie Labs. He was a light in this world, who left an incredible legacy, not just in his brilliance as a scientist, but also as a human being. His determination to facilitate growth and success and ability to bring people together for this purpose was profound. I feel privileged to have many fond memories with him, and both scientific and life lessons.
My deepest condolences to his loved ones. May God bless him, have mercy on him and may he rest in peace.
Karim Shalaby
Qutayba was a formidable researcher, a formidable teacher, and what we call in French “un honnête homme”.
Even though I never worked with him, I appreciated and respected him highly.
He will be fondly remembered.
My sincere condolences go to his family, and my thoughts are with the Meakins-Christie family.
Warm regards.
Thomas Similowski
I have such fond memories of Qutayba. He was a great scientist and an even greater human being, and it was a privilege to know him. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Martin Stampfli
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Qutayba Hamid.
I cannot help but feel that he left us far too early, especially in light of his outstanding and far-reaching contributions to fundamental research on respiratory diseases, including obstructive pulmonary disorders.
I had the great privilege of working in Professor Hamid’s laboratory as a Research Fellow for two years, from 1998 to 2000. During that time, he not only provided me with invaluable opportunities for research and academic publication, but also showed me remarkable personal kindness. He would often ask with genuine warmth whether my family was living safely and comfortably, and his thoughtful concern meant a great deal to me.
I remain profoundly grateful for his mentorship and generosity, and I extend my deepest condolences.
From Japan, I sincerely pray for his eternal peace.
Masao Toda
My time in his lab and at the Meakins was formative in my career. Nothing but great memories.
Erin D. Wright
Saddened to hear of Dr. Hamid Qutayba’s passing. During my time at Meakins Christie Laboratories, I had the privilege of knowing his inspiring work. May he rest in peace.
Lijing Xu