V spomin prof. dr. Alojzu Ihanu, dr. med.
Z neizmerno žalostjo sporočamo, da nas je zapustil prof. dr. Alojz Ihan, dr. med. spec., redni profesor mikrobiologije in imunologije na Medicinski fakulteti Univerze v Ljubljani, izjemen znanstvenik, pedagog, zdravnik in pisatelj, ki je s svojim delom pustil neizbrisen pečat v slovenski medicini, znanosti in kulturi.
Prof. dr. Ihan je več desetletij pomembno sooblikoval razvoj mikrobiologije in imunologije v Sloveniji. Kot predstojnik Katedre za mikrobiologijo in imunologijo Medicinske fakultete Univerze v Ljubljani in vodja Laboratorija za celično imunologijo ter Oddelka za imunologijo na Inštitutu za mikrobiologijo in imunologijo, je vodil številne raziskovalne, diagnostične in pedagoške dejavnosti. Njegovo strokovno delo kot vodja laboratorija za celično imunologijo je bilo usmerjeno v diagnostiko prirojenih motenj imunskega sistema in preučevanje odzivov imunskega sistema pri okužbah. Kot vodja obrata za proizvodnjo celic CAR-T pa si je prizadeval za razvoj naprednih celičnih terapij, vključno s pripravo gensko spremenjenih limfocitov T za zdravljenje raka.
Kot predavatelj je generacijam študentov medicine, farmacije, mikrobiologije ter kemije in kemijske tehnologije približeval kompleksne vsebine imunologije ter pomembno prispeval k razvoju sodobnega biomedicinskega izobraževanja v Sloveniji. Bil je mentor številnim mladim raziskovalcem ter pomemben sogovornik in sodelavec v strokovni skupnosti doma in v tujini.
Prof. dr. Ihan je aktivno sodeloval tudi pri oblikovanju strokovnih smernic in javnozdravstvenih politik. Med drugim je deloval kot član in podpredsednik Posvetovalne skupine za cepljenje pri Nacionalnem inštitutu za javno zdravje ter kot član evropskih strokovnih skupin na področju cepljenja odraslih.
Njegov opus presega strogo znanstveno področje. Bil je tudi izjemno plodovit pisatelj, esejist in pesnik ter avtor številnih poljudnoznanstvenih del, s katerimi je širši javnosti približal razumevanje imunskega sistema, zdravja in sodobne medicine. Za svoje literarno ustvarjanje je prejel številna priznanja, med drugim tudi nagrado Prešernovega sklada.
Bibliografija prof. dr. Ihana obsega več kot 1500 bibliografskih enot, več kot 120 znanstvenih člankov v mednarodnih revijah ter številne knjige – tako strokovne kot literarne. Njegovo pedagoško delo je vključevalo tudi avtorstvo in uredništvo številnih temeljnih učbenikov. Bil je tudi ustanovitelj in glavni urednik Založbe UL MF. Njegovo delo bo še dolgo navdihovalo raziskovalce, študente in bralce.
S svojim znanjem, širino duha, predanostjo znanosti in kulturi ter z izjemno človeško toplino je zaznamoval številne sodelavce, študente in prijatelje.
Njegov spomin bo ostal trajno zapisan v slovenski znanosti, medicini in literaturi.
Iskreno sožalje svojcem, sodelavcem in vsem, ki so ga poznali in cenili.
Predstojnik prof. dr. Miroslav Petrovec in sodelavci Katedre in Inštituta za mikrobiologijo in imunologijo
In Memoriam: Prof. Dr. Alojz Ihan, M.D.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Prof. Dr. Alojz Ihan, M.D., specialist in clinical microbiology and Full Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana – an outstanding scientist, educator, physician, and writer who left an indelible mark on Slovenian medicine, science, and culture.
For several decades, Prof. Ihan played a key role in shaping the development of microbiology and immunology in Slovenia. As Head of the Academic Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, and Head of the Cellular Immunology Laboratory and the Department of Immunology at the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, he led numerous researches, diagnostic, and educational activities. His work as head of the Cellular Immunology Laboratory focused on the diagnosis of congenital immune disorders and the study of immune responses to infections. As Head of the CAR-T Production Department, he also advanced innovative cellular therapies, including the preparation of genetically modified T lymphocytes for following cancer treatment.
As a lecturer, he introduced generations of students of medicine, pharmacy, microbiology, chemistry and chemical technology to the complex field of immunology, making a significant contribution to the development of modern biomedical education in Slovenia. He mentored many young researchers and was an important interlocutor and collaborator within the professional community in Slovenia and internationally.
Prof. Ihan was also actively involved in shaping professional guidelines and public health policies. Among other roles, he served as a member and Deputy Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization at the National Institute of Public Health and as a member of European Adult Immunization Board Group.
His work extended far beyond the strictly scientific domain. He was an exceptionally prolific writer, essayist, and poet, and the author of numerous popular sciences works that helped bring understanding of the immune system, health, and modern medicine closer to the general public. For his literary achievements, he received several awards, including the Prešeren Fund Award.
Prof. Ihan’s bibliography includes more than 1,500 bibliographic units, over 120 scientific articles in international journals, and numerous professional and literary books. His pedagogical contributions also include the authorship and editorship of several fundamental textbooks. He was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Publishing Department of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana. His work will continue to inspire researchers, students, and readers for years to come.
With his knowledge, intellectual breadth, dedication to science and culture, and exceptional human warmth, he left a profound mark on many colleagues, students, and friends.
His legacy will remain permanently inscribed in Slovenian science, medicine, and literature.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who knew and admired him.
Prof. Dr. Miroslav Petrovec, M.D.,
Head of the Institute and colleagues from Institute of Microbiology and Immunology