Susanne M. Gollin
GOLLIN: Susanne M. Gollin, professor emerita of human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and one of the first researchers hired by what is now the Hillman Cancer Center, died April 6, 2025, with her loving family by her side. She was 71. A respected cytogeneticist and teacher, Susanne died following a long battle with metastatic breast cancer, the disease she spent her career helping to understand and conquer. Susanne pioneered important discoveries in the field of head and neck cancer. During her career, Susanne discovered and patented the observation that loss of specific genes with parallel overexpression of other genes correlated with the development of cancer and resistance to treatment. Her discoveries showed the presence of these defects could be used both prognostically and as a guide to alternative therapeutics. As a professor, she mentored students, post-doctoral fellows, colleagues and friends. She was especially supportive of those just getting started in their careers. Susanne was a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics & Genomics, the International Academy of Oral Oncology and the Indian Association of Molecular Pathologists. She was a long-term member of both the Allegheny County Board of Health and the Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention, and Research Board. She was board-certified as a clinical cytogeneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics. Susanne was an ardent sports fan. She was, for many years, a faculty representative on the University of Pittsburgh Faculty Athletic Committee overseeing the operations of the university athletics program. Susanne and Lazar loved going to see all Pitt sports teams play — dropping by the university club for lunch before catching a basketball game was a favorite past time. Chicago sports teams were also near to her heart — she watched every Northwestern game on television, and she often cheered on the Cubs and the Blackhawks. Together with husband, Lazar, she sought to make the world a more just place for all, always willing to help others. Among her many charitable activities, Susanne was on the boards of the Women’s Law Project and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, served as the Highland Park Garden Club Program Director and was an elected judge of elections for her precinct. Susanne grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, the daughter of two physicians. She graduated from Niles West High School and obtained her undergraduate, master’s and PhD degrees at Northwestern University. She conducted post-doctoral work at the University of Rochester and the Baylor College of Medicine. Susanne served as a faculty member of the University of Arkansas Medical School before moving to Pittsburgh in the 1980s. Susanne is survived by husband, Lazar Palnick, son Jacob Palnick, sisters Roberta Lottinger and Joan Gollin Gaines, brothers-in-law Tom Lottinger and Louis Gaines, sister-in-law Rachelle Palnick, and many nieces, nephews (Austin, Stephanie, Blake, Marcella, Naomi, Andrew, Cassandra, Doron, Muriel) and godchildren (Caden, Cassia). Services at Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. No prior visitation. Interment at Temple Sinai Memorial Park. For shiva information, please call Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. at 412.621.8282. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Susanne’s name to the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. Donations can be made online at giveto.pitt.edu/Gollin-memorial or mailed to: The Gollin/Gaines Family Award, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement, PO Box 640093, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Attention: School of Public Health. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com PJC
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