Anatomy
Research
The University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine mourns the loss of world-renowned scientist and adjunct professor in the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology at JABSOM, Dr. Gary Mawe.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mawe's research focused on gastrointestinal illnesses. His research aimed to understand gut motility and its role in IBS. Dr. Mawe was R01 funded throughout his career, and that research improved and saved the lives of people suffering from GI illnesses.
Dr. Mawe received a BSc from Penn State University and a Ph.D. in Anatomy from the Ohio State University, followed by postdoctoral training at Columbia under the world-renowned autonomic nervous system scientist Dr. Michael Gershon. Most recently, Dr. Mawe was the Samuel W. Thayer Professor in the Department of Neurological Sciences at the University of Vermont School of Medicine. He was also the Director of its Anatomical Gift Program. Dr. Mawe was internationally known and respected and found a way to share his knowledge in Hawaiʻi, as Dr. Scott Lozanoff called on him back in 2013.
"I called Dr. Mawe when our JABSOM GI Physiologist retired, and we lacked faculty expertise for the gut physiology lectures in MD4," Dr. Lozanoff said. "As Chairman at the time, I needed to find someone to provide the GI block lectures quickly. Gary was an old friend from our graduate school days who owed me a favor."
Although Dr. Mawe had a grueling travel schedule due to speaking and research invitations, he agreed to cover the GI lectures and participate in the Labs covering Gross Anatomy dissection of the abdomen. Each year, he delivered three comprehensive 2-hour seminars focusing on the gastrointestinal tract's physiology, anatomy, and histology, coupled with clinical correlations of prevalent GI disorders.
"I felt he would do an excellent job while also providing our students with exposure to a world-renown GI physiologist," Dr. Lozanoff said. "To my surprise, he agreed to continue lecturing at JABSOM, and he traveled here lecturing annually in MD4 units for many years despite his demanding research activities. I once asked him why he continued to include JABSOM on his travel docket to provide lectures pro bono. He described how his colleagues would sometimes chide him about how he would come to Hawaiʻi to 'work.' Dr. Mawe confided in me and said that, yes, he enjoyed the warm people and lovely culture of the islands. But he said, 'That's not why I do this. I come here because I love your students. They are so receptive and appreciative of instruction, and they love to learn. They really care about their education.'"
“During his visits, Dr. Mawe expressed his delight in engaging with our students, remarking on the thoughtfulness and depth of their questions,” said Kenton Kramer, PhD, from JABSOM’s Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology. “Notably, he looked forward to the annual senior luau and arranged to coincide his visits with this joyous event.”
Even after Dr. Mawe became sick last year, he remembered JABSOM, recording his sessions and providing them for MD4 students. As much as he loved the students, they loved him.
Students commenting after his lectures always showered Dr. Mawe with praise, writing:
"Great lecturer! Really appreciate him coming to share his knowledge in Hawaiʻi."
"I thought he was one of our most engaging lecturers, and the content was clear and easy to follow. Also, I LOVE that he provided a summary document for us to study with. I wish every lecturer did that!"
"I wish all of our lecturers were like Dr. Mawe: specialists in their field who LOVE their work! Please bring him back next year."
"Dr. Mawe was enthusiastic and presented the material in a clear and logical sequence. He shared his own research, which made the lecture more interesting/thought-provoking and provided material not readily accessible in textbooks."
Takashi Matsui, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of JABSOM's Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology, said, "Dr. Mawe was an exceptional researcher and instructor. Between his warm heart and remarkable expertise in human anatomy and physiology, he was deeply beloved by JABSOM students, faculty, and staff. We always looked forward to his visits in the spring and miss him deeply."
Dr. Mawe’s life was filled with the wonder of a scientist, and he had several interests outside of academia.
Lozanoff recalled Dr. Mawe would allow himself one year to perfect a specific activity.
"One year, it was Project Firefly that captured images of the fluorescent insects. The next year, he decided to create the perfect snowflake photograph. In this case, he overcame significant technical difficulties and achieved amazing (yet repeatable) results."
Friends found Dr. Mawe jumping between high-level science and his outside interests throughout his life. In his 20s, Dr. Mawe won the Blue Ribbon for Baking at the Ohio State Fair.
"He had many humorous stories," Dr. Lozanoff said. "He was a graduate student competing against 60-something grandmothers from the farms across the Ohio heartland. After the televised blue ribbon award ceremony, he was off to the neuroscience meetings to present his latest research findings."
Dr. Mawe was blessed with two wonderful sons, a caring partner, a large extended family and colleagues worldwide, including here at JABSOM. Dr. Adam Sprouse Blum (JABSOM 2011) worked directly with Dr. Mawe during his residency at the University of Vermont.
The University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine will remember Dr. Mawe for his dedication to medical education, engaging teaching style and genuine rapport with students. He undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the MD4 program, enriching the learning journey of all who had the privilege of learning from him.