We are celebrating the life of Irfan Ahmad, a visionary and tireless leader in interdisciplinary research and humanitarian efforts, who passed away earlier this year.
Over his remarkable career, he made groundbreaking contributions to fields such as nanotechnology, agriculture, medicine and engineering. Known for his collaborative spirit, he brought together diverse teams to address global challenges and fostered innovation across various disciplines.
After earning his master’s and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ahmad went on to lead major research initiatives at the university. He served as the executive director of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, where his efforts helped secure significant grants and establish pioneering programs. His work contributed to advancements in cancer nanotechnology, agricultural nanotechnology and medical innovations, earning him wide recognition and respect in his field. He played a pivotal role in creating projects like the NSF IGERT training grant on Cellular and Molecular Mechanics and Nanotechnology, as well as founding the Center for Medical Innovations in Extended Reality (MIXR).
Beyond his academic contributions, Ahmad was a passionate humanitarian. He co-founded the Avicenna Community Health Center in Champaign, Ill., where he provided free healthcare to the uninsured and underinsured. His humanitarian work extended globally, as he organized relief efforts following the 2005 South Asia earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, raising over $20,000 and providing essential supplies to disaster-stricken areas.
“Irfan truly embodied our collective mission of collaboration and advancing engineering-based health and biomedical innovation through his work and expertise in engineering, medicine and beyond,” said Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering.
Ahmad believed deeply in the role of engineers in addressing societal challenges and policymaking. He was a strong advocate for integrating engineering solutions into disaster mitigation efforts, urging others to understand the broader impact of their research and innovations. His vision and leadership were integral to advancing large-scale, interdisciplinary projects aimed at solving critical global issues.
“In his roles as the Assistant Dean for Research in the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and co-PI of our NSF Industry University Collaborative Research Center for Medical Innovation in Extended Reality and faculty lead of our annual Health Make-a-Thon Innovation challenge, Dr. Ahmad was a true pleasure to work with as a colleague and friend as he always put students first and always built partnerships across the campus and with industry to leverage the interdisciplinary impact of being at the University of Illinois,” said Mark Cohen, dean of the Carle College of Medicine. He was truly dedicated to the success of students and was a true champion of collaboration and building teams for success.”
Ahmad’s legacy is one of innovation, compassion and community building. His contributions to both science and society will continue to inspire future generations. He is survived by his wife Raheela Irfan, his children and his beloved grandsons, who will carry forward his memory and dedication to improving the world.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Friday, October 25 at 4 p.m. in the HMNTL Atrium. A bench with a plaque dedicated to his memory will be placed outside of HMNTL after the ceremony.