Philadelphia, PA – Merion Station, PA – The Merion Mercy Academy community is grieving the loss of a beloved faculty member, Dr. John Durkin, who passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the age of 66. The sad news was shared through a heartfelt Facebook post by the school, expressing their heavy hearts at the loss.
Dr. John Durkin was a distinguished protein biochemist and science teacher at Merion Mercy Academy, contributing significantly to the academic and community life of the school. His passing has left both students and colleagues in mourning, and the circumstances surrounding the cause of his death have not been disclosed at this time.
Dr. Durkin’s academic journey was marked by excellence, earning a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Harvard University and a B.S. in Physics with high honors from Case Western Reserve University. His professional journey included impactful roles, such as a Federal Junior Fellow at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Academic Tutor at Case Western Reserve University, and a Postdoctoral Associate at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Merion Mercy Academy posted on Facebook,
“With heavy hearts, we are sharing the sad news of the passing of beloved faculty member, Dr. John Durkin. As soon as they are available, we’ll provide details on services. For now, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. We invite you to read the communication that went out to all community members this morning”
Throughout his career, Dr. Durkin made significant contributions to the field, holding positions such as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medical College for 11 years and serving as a Research Scientist at Cephalon, Inc. in West Chester, PA, from 1991 to 2011. Later, he transitioned to Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he served as a Senior Scientist in Global Bioassays and Technology from 2011 to 2015.
In the latter part of his career, Dr. Durkin’s passion for education led him to Merion Mercy Academy, where he made a lasting impact on students. Known for bringing science to life in classrooms, his brilliance and dedication to teaching inspired curiosity among his students. Beyond the academic realm, Dr. Durkin’s kindness, generosity, and love for the community endeared him to all who knew him.
The Merion Mercy Academy community will remember Dr. John Durkin’s legacy, characterized by his profound impact on the lives of students and colleagues alike. The family is expected to release Dr. Durkin’s obituary, providing an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance of a remarkable teacher and mentor.
ncG1vNJzZmiin5fAo7vTrGWcp51ksbN5yaifp2WUqr%2Bstc1mpJ6qmaS7brnEq5qyZZGYrqWxzLJkrJuZmruksYytnJqbmJq%2FbrDInqpmrZ6axbGxwq2cnaSpYryjtdOumKuxXw%3D%3D