Dr Rosita Maria Accardi-Gheit

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is saddened by the sudden passing of Dr Rosita Maria Accardi-Gheit, an IARC staff member, who died on 13 May 2020.

Rosita was first an IARC postdoctoral fellow from 2002 to 2007 and then served as an IARC staff scientist in the Infections and Cancer Biology Group in the Section of Infections and, since 2018, in the Epigenetics Group in the Section of Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis.

She leaves an important legacy to the field of virology, epigenetics, and cancer research. Her vision and contributions to the development of several important projects, such as understanding the role of the oncogenic viruses human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in cancer development, have been invaluable.

Rosita was known for her passion for science, sharp intelligence, charisma, and inexhaustible energy for all things in life. In particular, she will be remembered for her generosity in sharing her expertise with the students she mentored, colleagues, partners, and interns.

She is survived by her loving husband, Tarik, and their two children, Andrea and Lorenzo.

Our deepest sympathy is with Rosita’s family and friends.

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