The College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources mourns the passing of David A. Schooley, Ph.D., a distinguished professor emeritus of biochemistry, a renowned insect endocrinologist, and a beloved educator and mentor. He joined the University in 1988 and served with distinction until 2013, leaving a legacy of scientific innovation and student-focused education.

David earned his doctorate in organic chemistry from Stanford University in 1968 under famed chemist Carl Djerassi, whose research, along with that of other scientists, helped pave the way for the development of the birth control pill. David later held leadership roles at Zoecon Corporation, where he helped develop methoprene, a synthetic, environmentally safe insect hormone analog now used worldwide to combat mosquito-borne diseases. His early identification of the first four juvenile hormone molecules left a lasting mark in the field of insect physiology and public health.

David continued his prolific research career after joining the University of Nevada, Reno, publishing nearly 200 articles in leading journals. His work has been cited more than 11,000 times by researchers around the world. Much of his research focused on insect diuretic hormones and helped reshape how scientists understand hormone function, evolution and potential biomedical parallels.

During his tenure, David played a key role in establishing the Nevada Proteomics Center, now known as the Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D. Proteomics Center, securing funding to bring state-of-the-art mass spectrometry capabilities to the University. His efforts helped launch a wave of interdisciplinary research across departments.

A passionate educator, David mentored dozens of students in biochemistry, and launched many of them into successful scientific careers. He received the University’s Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Researcher Awards, as well as the Nevada Regents’ Researcher Award.

“David was one of the most decent people I have ever known and is largely responsible for me becoming the scientist I am today,” said Vincent Lombardi, David’s former doctoral student and now an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. “He was an amazing scientist and an exceptional mentor.”

David’s contributions earned national and international recognition, including the Kenneth A. Spencer Award from the American Chemical Society, the Ted Hopkins Insect Physiologist Award from Kansas State University and the Invertebrate Neuropeptide Award from the International Peptide Society. He also served on many editorial boards and was active in several scientific societies.

Colleagues remember him as a brilliant scientist and generous mentor.

“Dave Schooley was a world leader in insect peptide hormones and juvenile hormone,” said Bob Ryan, a former colleague and professor of biochemistry. “His meticulous, impactful research played a key role in building what is now a thriving arthropod research group in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Recruiting him was a major achievement for the department at the time.”

Those who had the privilege to work with and get to know David over his tenure at the University will certainly miss him as a dear, witty and humorous colleague.

The College joins the scientific community and the family of David in mourning his loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Eleanor, and their children and grandchildren.