In Memoriam: Greg Lucier, Cumming School of Medicine

The Cumming School of Medicine sadly acknowledges the loss of professor emeritus Dr. Greg Lucier, PhD. He was 81 years old.

Lucier joined the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine (now Cumming School of Medicine) in 1980 as an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. Following several promotions, he added a joint appointment in the Office of Medical Education in 1993 before retiring in 1999.

As a professor of neurophysiology his pioneering research in pain pathways, neurotransmitter mapping, upper airway protective reflexes, and sudden infant death syndrome, led to significant discoveries that continue to be cited in new research decades later.

Lucier was closely involved in medical education, helping improve the medical school’s academic evaluation and assessment techniques. He also helped develop the medical instructional resources unit, which emphasized the use of new technology in the delivery of medical education.

Lucier was equally successful outside of medical education. He translated a passion of animation into an outstanding second career, eventually becoming executive director of Operations at Walt Disney Canada. He was a founding board member and past president of Wellspring Calgary, a national network offering programs for people with cancer. At Wellspring he taught a course on brain fog, in support of those going through cancer treatment.

A celebration of Lucier’s life will be held this fall. Donations may be made in Greg’s honor to Wellspring at https://wellspring.ca/alberta/ways-to-give/donate/. 

Dr. Lucier’s obituary can be found here: https://www.simplycremations.ca/obituary/Gregory-Lucier