We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Richard Szydlo on December 18, 2023. A senior biostatistician with the Centre for Haematology at Imperial College London, Dr. Szydlo’s impact on the HCT field cannot be overstated. Through his work with the Anthony Nolan Research Group, British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, EBMT, and CIBMTR, Dr. Szydlo published more than 300 manuscripts, and he taught and mentored hundreds of students and colleagues.
Dr. Szydlo spent several months on two separate occasions as a Visiting Professor at CIBMTR (then the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry) in 1990. He worked particularly with the late John Klein, PhD, on statistical methods to incorporate the successful use of donor lymphocyte infusion in estimating long-term outcomes of allogeneic transplantation. He remained a close collaborator over the ensuing decades and fostered collaboration between the EBMT and CIBMTR, including consensus on statistical approaches for HCT studies. He was a natural teacher and led statistics courses at both the EBMT and CIBMTR meetings for many years. He had the ability to make statistics approachable and fun (really!!!).
The Imperial College London shared a lovely tribute, which we encourage you to read, on their website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/250554/in-memoriam-dr-richard-szydlo/
Dr. Szydlo was known for his kind and collaborative nature, his love of photography and Polish folk dancing, his generosity of spirit, and his hearty and infectious laugh. We miss him dearly and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.