UCSF Acknowledges Generosity of Late Ernest Gallo

UCSF is mourning the loss of Ernest Gallo, who, along with his brother Julio, helped build the American wine industry. He died on March 6 at his home in Modesto. He was 97. Gallo was a generous donor to UCSF's Department of Neurology, and he also endowed the Ernest Gallo-Kanu Chatterjee Distinguished Professorship in Clinical Cardiology in the Department of Medicine, now held by Kanu Chatterjee, MBBS. In 1980, Gallo founded the Ernest Gallo Clinic & Research Center, a nonprofit multidisciplinary research institution devoted to the study of neuroscience and the effects of alcohol on the brain. Recognizing that alcoholism is a medical condition of the brain, Gallo arranged for the Gallo center to be closely affiliated with the Department of Neurology within the UCSF School of Medicine. Gallo supported the Gallo center over the years with philanthropic contributions and by educating state and federal policymakers as to the importance of supporting research on alcoholism and addiction. Today, the Gallo center has built a remarkable track record of innovative and important discoveries of molecular, cellular and neuronal mechanisms that underlie alcoholism and substance abuse. Gallo center faculty and students are integrated into the academic and research community of UCSF. Gallo's vision of creating one of the world's preeminent academic centers for the study of the biological basis of alcohol and substance abuse has been realized. The work of the Gallo center adds to his legacy. His support of the University went beyond UCSF. Gallo founded the Maynard A. Amerine Professorship in Enology and Viticulture at the University of California, Davis, which was the first endowed chair in the University's Department of Viticulture and Enology. Ernest and Julio Gallo established the E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto in 1933. The winery today has more than 4,600 employees, with products sold throughout the United States and in more than 90 foreign countries. Besides his intense dedication and innovative mind, Gallo brought to his work extraordinary common sense, remarkable focus, a sense of urgency and an inquisitive nature. He is recognized as a true pioneer of the American wine industry, and will long be remembered by his friends among the faculty at UCSF. Related Links: UCSF Research Pinpoints Brain Molecule's Role in Developing Addiction UCSF Today, Feb. 16, 2006 ERNEST GALLO: 1909-2007 With brother, he created world's biggest winery SFGate, March 7, 2007 UCSF is expressing its gratitude to the late winemaker Ernest Gallo, who supported the study of neuroscience and the effects of alcohol on the brain.