It is with profound sadness that we share the sudden passing of Professor Bruce Albala on Wednesday, October 16, while vacationing and celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary to his beloved wife, Bernadette Boden-Albala, founding dean of the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health.
Bruce was a cherished member of the UC Irvine community since joining in 2019, where his passion for teaching and mentorship touched countless lives. He loved working with students, offering his guidance and wisdom to help them grow as future leaders in health and science.
He served as a professor with a primary appointment in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health at Wen Public Health and secondary appointments in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Neurology at the School of Medicine. Beyond UC Irvine, Bruce held a research appointment with the Veterans Administration Healthcare System at the Long Beach VA Hospital.
Bruce’s distinguished career spanned both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He was formerly the associate dean for innovation and clinical trials at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and a director at the UC Irvine Center for Clinical Research. His vast experience included senior roles in Fortune 100, mid-size, and start-up pharmaceutical companies, with extensive international development experience across Europe, Japan, and the U.S. His work in clinical research and development in neurology, psychiatry, obesity, gastroenterology, and infectious diseases shaped over twenty clinical programs and three dozen studies worldwide.
Bruce’s contributions to science and medicine are recognized through his patent holdings, nearly sixty published scientific articles, principal roles in dozens of clinical trials, and numerous speaking engagements on research and clinical development. He earned his PhD in Biopsychology from Syracuse University and was a visiting post-doctoral fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health. His work has left an indelible mark on the fields of biomedical research and clinical development.
Beyond his professional achievements, Bruce was a dedicated family man. He was a loving husband to Bernadette for 40 years, a proud father to his two daughters and their spouses, and a doting grandfather to his two grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family and traveling with Bernadette. A true New Yorker, Bruce still held season tickets to the New York Giants, despite his West Coast residency. His sense of humor, warmth, and generosity made him a mentor and friend to all who knew him.
Bruce’s impact as a researcher, teacher, mentor, husband, father, and grandfather will continue to be felt by all who had the honor of knowing him. He will be deeply missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.
