Dr. Riccardi’s legacy is immense, from his clinical work to seminal publications like Neurofibromatosis: Phenotype, Natural History, and Pathogenesis. He was equally dedicated to patients and their families, inspired by their questions and the need to hone his own contributions to improve their lives.
We have also lost an unflagging and selfless mentor. Dr. Riccardi was integral to the shaping of the Francis Collins Scholars (FCS) Program from the beginning, through his passion for finding and sharing NF1 “pearls” and in particular by supporting the next generation of researchers and clinicians. He taught, supported, and challenged FCSs to expand their thinking, question everything, and envision new approaches to the demands and mechanisms of NF1. He was never short of passion and ideas, and he loved learning about the passions and ideas of others.
His memory will burn brightly in all of us, and we can all infuse our clinical care, research, relationships, and interactions with the world around us with the “radical amazement” that Dr. Riccardi shared. He is deeply missed – and impossible to forget.
We have invited our FCS scholars to tell us about their memories of Dr. Riccardi. Please join us in celebrating his remarkable life and impact.
“I am forever grateful to Vic for his dedication to mentoring. He was always available to the FCS community. His passion for NF1 research and mentorship of the next generation of NF-ologists cannot be matched. I will always have fond memories of our conversations. He was always willing to listen to me talk through any research idea—no matter how crazy. He will be missed dearly.”
–Angela Hirbe, MD, PhD“Professor Vic Riccardi was a person with exceptional scientific curiosity, a genuine passion for sharing knowledge, and remarkable kindness. He always approached situations from an unexpected perspective, which added depth to a discussion. His precise knowledge of NF1 made him a guiding figure for many of us. He is greatly missed and will always be remembered by the NF community.”
–Laura Fertitta, MD“By the time I met Vic, he was already in deteriorating health. However, his love of NF1 still shone through in every interaction. He remained interested in every aspect of the disease, and encouraged all of us to be the same. He was truly a light in the field, both in clinical care and in mentorship to junior physicians and scientists. He will be truly missed.”
–Nicole M Brossier, MD, PhD“Vic was an incredible NF clinician, researcher, and colleague. He had a way of providing constructive feedback and support at the same time (ie, the “this is good but you can do better” approach) that helped me grow in the clinic and research. He was always there when I needed someone to bounce ideas off of, and many times during these discussions, he came up with ideas of his own…most of which I have incorporated into my research. As he did with many people, Vic helped shape who I am as an NF provider, and I will forever remember him for this.”
–Miriam Bornhorst, MD“I got to know Dr. Vic as a Francis Collins Scholar through various interactions, at CTF conferences, the FCS annual science day pre-pandemic, and the FCS virtual learning courses led by Dr Vic. Amongst them, the most memorable are these virtual learning meetings where Vic had carefully crafted the topics and stimulated meaningful discussions outside my oncology research focus. He really bought out the holistic perspectives of neurofibromatosis. Above all, his lifelong pursuit of knowledge and dedication to education and research in NF are truly admirable, leaving a profound and lasting impact on those around him and the broader NF field. It has been a genuine privilege to know him, and I will always remember his spirit, which has been an inspiration to all who had the honor of working with and learning from him.”
–Ping Chi, MD, PhD“Community is one of the defining aspects of our field, and Vic played an outsized role in building that while also helping train and educate upcoming generations of investigators. He has had and will continue to have a huge impact on the way I do science and practice as an NF-ologist.”
–R Taylor Sundby, MD“Words can’t truly capture how Dr. Riccardi shaped the NF field and touched my life as a Francis Collins Scholar. I’ll never forget meeting Vic soon after joining the FCS program. He welcomed me so warmly into the community and immediately made me feel a sense of belonging, like being part of a family. He challenged me to see the NF1 gene through a different lens – not merely as a tumor suppressor, as many have studied it for decades, but as a key orchestrator of cell lineage fate and all aspects of development. During our mentoring sessions, Vic would consistently push us to question our assumptions about NF, urging us to approach the biology from a fresh perspective.”
“Vic’s kindness was as immense as his intellect. After giving talks at NF meetings, he would often call just to offer encouragement. True to form, he would then pose a series of thought-provoking questions that sent my mind racing in new directions. Reflecting on our time together, I realize how profoundly Vic changed the way I approach science – to distill problems to their fundamentals, to question everything, and to never be afraid to think differently. His unwavering passion for NF research and deep curiosity were truly inspiring. I feel grateful to have known Vic and I consider his mentorship one of the greatest blessings of my time as a Francis Collins Scholar. May each of us find and embrace the joy and passion he exemplified each day as we honor his memory striving towards a brighter future for all those living with NF.”
–Steven Rhodes, MD, PhD
A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Riccardi was a major force in the NF1 community. His deeply empathetic, whole-patient approach and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers has ensured that his influence will endure.
“When I think of the most important people in NF1 research, I think of Vic,” Dr. Bornhorst said. “For so many of us, he was the person you turned to when you had a question. He was an amazing mentor and an amazing person.”