In Memoriam: Carl Pierson, PhD
By Anastazia Hartman | July 18
Dr. Carl L. Pierson, PhD, clinical microbiologist, educator, and beloved mentor, passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy defined by scientific rigor, visionary leadership, and profound human impact. He was 82.
Pierson earned his BS (1964), MS (1967), and PhD (1972) from the University of Michigan, where he remained for the entirety of his professional career. In 1973, he began as the director of the Burn Center Laboratory, later becoming the director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory and an Assistant Professor within our department.
His research initially focused on infections in burn patients and later expanded into antimicrobial resistance and innovative diagnostic approaches. Pierson was widely respected for his consultative insights, commitment to laboratory excellence, and ability to bridge cutting-edge science with practical patient care.
He was also a passionate mentor and educator, teaching and inspiring trainees and technologists across disciplines. In 2002, he was honored as a “Significant Contributor to Clinical Microbiology” by the South Central Association for Clinical Microbiology (SCACM), a recognition of his decades of meaningful contributions to the field.
Carol Young, MT (ASCP), a long-time colleague within the Department of Pathology, remembered him as a guiding influence in her career:
“At ASM this year, in my talk about ‘things you can do in microbiology without a PhD,’ I recognized Carl as my mentor. He was so much wiser than me and a visionary.”
Her reflections echoed the sentiments of many who benefited from Dr. Pierson’s mentorship, foresight, and generosity.
Dr. Pierson retired in 2005 and was named Assistant Professor Emeritus of Pathology by the University of Michigan Regents. He will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, students, and the countless individuals whose lives he shaped through his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication.
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