Throughout her legendary career in developmental neuroscience, Lynn Landmesser was driven by a fascination for understanding species’ behaviors. It’s one that took root when she was a child in California, where she explored diverse environments ranging from tide pools to deserts and mountains. And, decades later, it’s one that landed her distinction among Case Western Reserve’s first Distinguished University Professors.
Now, the Case Western Reserve University community is mourning the passing of Landmesser, who died Nov. 29. She was 81.
From the time she arrived at CWRU in 1993, Landmesser didn’t hesitate to make her mark. Having completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Utah and academic appointments at Yale University and the University of Connecticut, she was recruited to Cleveland by Story C. Landis, the founding chair of the university’s neurosciences department. Landis—who went on to become director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—saw Landmesser’s potential to not only succeed but excel in the field—and she more than exceeded her expectations.
“Dr. Landmesser was enormously respected both locally and internationally as a neuroscientist,” shared Pamela Davis, the Arline H. and Curtis F. Garvin Research Professor and past dean of the School of Medicine. “As an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, she was able to make her voice heard at the national level. We were proud of her leadership and we knew she would hew to her principles in all things.”
“Lynn was a soft spoken and dedicated leader who only knew how to come to the point quickly with critical observations and incredibly high standards,” shared Stan Gerson, dean of the School of Medicine.
A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Physiological Society, Landmesser served as chair of the Department of Neurosciences and as the Arline H. and Curtis E. Garvin Professor of Medicine from 1999 to 2014. Her world-renowned research focused on identifying how genetically encoded molecular signals and the environment interact to form complex neural circuits during embryonic and postnatal development—a process she understood laid the groundwork for finding ways to restore lost movement.
“Lynn was a pioneering neuroscientist and an iconic leader in the School of Medicine,” shared Distinguished University Professor Lynn Singer. “She was one of the first, and for many years, the only woman department chair in the basic sciences, mentoring faculty and students in both scientific and academic leadership.”
A dedicated mentor and teacher, Landmesser’s legacy shines on through the generations of scientists who learned from her and whose careers she helped guide.
She made countless contributions to prestigious biomedical organizations, including serving on the Scientific Review Board for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for almost 20 years and as president of the Society for Developmental Biology. She also served on various committees for the Society for Neuroscience and the Sloan Research Fellows Selection Committee for Neuroscience.
Landmesser helped develop the Brain Science Institute—the predecessor institution of the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan—serving on the Brain Science Advisory Council. She also presented at institutes and conferences around the world, and published numerous articles and book chapters.
A symposium honoring Landmesser’s career will be held May 30, 2025. To learn more, watch the School of Medicine events page or email neurosciences@case.edu.
Students who would like support during this time are encouraged to contact University Health and Counseling Services at 216.368.5872. This line is staffed by a counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Faculty and staff can access counseling at any time by calling IMPACT Solutions at 1.800.227.6007