Maria Eugenia Sabbatini

The wonderful, beautiful, high-energy spirit that was Dr. Maria Eugenia Sabbatini passed peacefully on October 17, 2024, after an extended and courageous struggle with advanced kidney cancer. Eugenia was a researcher, teacher, mentor, colleague, wife, family member, friend, and unabashed cat mama, who brought enthusiasm and a beautiful smile to any and all activities.

Eugenia grew up in Bernal, in the greater Buenos Aires district in Argentina, and after graduating from the nearby Joaquin V. Gonzalez secondary school, attended the Universidad de Buenos Aires, earning a M.S. in Pharmacy in 2000 and a Ph.D. in Physiology in 2006. That same year, she moved to the U.S. and joined the lab of John Williams at the University of Michigan on a postdoctoral fellowship, where she carried out basic research on pancreas physiology. In 2012, she married Dr. Michael Murray, and in 2013 the couple moved from Ann Arbor to Augusta, GA, where she started a position at Augusta University (AU) as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, in the College of Science and Mathematics. She developed an extensive laboratory research program, working with undergraduate and graduate students and multiple collaborators on projects involving research related to disorders of the pancreas, including pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. Through her boundless energy and peerless work ethic, she rose through the ranks, attaining the rank of full Professor in 2024. Eugenia was particularly interested in engaging students in research, mentoring over three dozen undergraduate students, as well as multiple graduate students in the more recently created M.S. program in Biomolecular Science. With colleagues and students, she produced many peer-reviewed scientific papers, a book chapter, and many presentations, including her last paper published this past summer while in the midst of cancer treatment. She also taught multiple courses (including advanced courses in pharmacology and pathophysiology), and served on multiple department, college, and National Institutes of Health review committees. She received multiple awards at AU, including the College of Sciences and Mathematics Excellence in Research award in 2017, the Outstanding Young Faculty Award in 2019, and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Mentor Excellence Award in 2020.

While Eugenia was particularly driven by her academic work, she also enjoyed other activities, in particular outings with Michael for dancing, concerts (including the Augusta Choral Society, Augusta Symphony, and concerts at AU), dining at independent restaurants, exploring parks and historic sites in the region, and short vacations (the lab was calling!) including in the Great Lakes region, the Southeast, and Colorado and New Mexico. She also led the way in cheering on Argentina while we watched World Cup matches from home, bars or restaurants, including one game from the streets of Buenos Aires.

We are appreciative of the support Eugenia received over the past eight months in treatment and hospice, including physicians, nurses, CNAs and other staff at Doctors Hospital (including Radiation Oncology, Urology and Pelvic Health Specialists, Neurological Surgery, and Women’s Diagnostic Center), Augusta Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists, and Augusta Oncology for treatment; physicians, nurses, and/or social workers we consulted with at the Georgia Cancer Center, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and Piedmont Augusta; and PruittHealth Hospice nurses and CNAs as well as Visiting Angels CNAs and other staff. We are also very appreciated of so many friends and colleagues who helped in many ways, including with meals, a

generator (and fuel) during the power outage, transport and other logistics, and thoughts and prayers.

Eugenia was preceded in death by her aunt, Zulema Sabbatini, her mother-in-law Patricia Murray, and her sister-in-law’s husband Roger Hedlund. She is survived by spouse Michael Murray, parents Jorge and Ana Maria Sabbatini, brother Diego Sabbatini, sister-in-law Michele Murray Hedlund, brother-in-law Terence Murray, father-in-law William Murray, extended family in Colorado, her beloved cats Sunny and Peachita, and a community of colleagues and friends in Augusta, Michigan, Argentina and elsewhere mourning her passing.

Eugenia touched many lives at Augusta University and beyond, including AU biological sciences students. A fund in Dr. Sabbatini’s name is being established at the Augusta University Foundation to support research scholarships for students in the biological sciences. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to support the Department of Biology Fund 294190 at the Augusta University Foundation in her memory. Gifts can be made online (augusta.edu/giving). You can navigate directly to the Biology Discretionary Fund (https://www.augusta.edu/giving/gift.php?fund=294190), and indicate it is a Tribute Gift for Dr. Sabbatini. Alternatively, you can write a check payable to the Augusta University Foundation, including the fund number and her name in the memo section. Please mail checks to Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, HS3200/PAE, Augusta, GA 30912. We are optimistic that many who knew or learn about Eugenia are able to contribute toward attaining the ambitious goal needed to make the fund operational, drawing on the inspiration of her life and work.

We will forever cherish fond memories of Eugenia.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2024