Marilyn Madry Lightfoote

Marilyn Madry Lightfoote, M.D., Ph.D., was originally from Jacksonville, Florida, a molecular immunologist, and Director of Clinical Science for Devices and Radiological Health.  As a graduate of the Fisk Class of 1964, she received her medical degree from Howard University where she met her husband, the late Dr. William E. Lightfoote II, neurologist. She was the first African-American doctoral graduate in the molecular immunology department at The University of Virginia and received her PhD in 1985.
As a medical researcher at George Washington University and National Institutes of Health, her research led to the discovery of the HIV virus prior to it being identified as an epidemic. Dr. Marilyn Lightfoote then became the Director of the Division of Life Sciences at the FDA.
As an active member of numerous organizations, including The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and St. Paul's Episcopal Church she mentored all communities she encountered.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Dr. Lynne Lightfoote; mother, Mrs. Janie Cowart Madry; sister, Dr. Jacquelyn Madry-Taylor; niece, Miss Jana Taylor; three brothers-in-law and a host of family and friends.

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