Michelle Rudek Renaut, Pharm. D., Ph.D

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Michelle Rudek Renaut, of Fulton, Maryland passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51. Michelle was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 17, 1972.

Loving wife of 17 years to Paul; beloved mother of Kiran. Survived by her parents Raymond and Louise Rudek; Brother Raymond (with sister-in-law Kimberly); Father-in-law Paul Renaut (Mother-in-law Deborah deceased); Brother-in-law Andrew Renaut, Sister-in-law Julie Renaut, and loving nieces and nephews.

Michelle was an avid yoga participant, and enjoyed cooking and baking, as well as reading. She was active in supporting her local community through various volunteer efforts such as the PTA, community social committee, and the H.C. (Howard County) Drug Free program. She particularly enjoyed giving and sharing treats with employees and neighborhood families, particularly around holidays. She was a proud Pittsburgh Steelers fan whose first crush was on linebacker Jack “splat” Lambert. Her ethnic heritage and extended family were an important part of her life and she dedicated herself to being a truly amazing wife and mother.

Michelle’s productive career, in which she was known as Dr. Michelle A. Rudek, focused on advancing research into treatments for cancer. This was another important part of her identity and her purpose in life. She cherished the many relationships she had built with colleagues across the field.

Dr. Rudek received her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy) Magna cum Laude from University of Pittsburgh and a dual Doctor of Philosophy/ Doctor of Pharmacy (Ph.D./Pharm. D.) degrees from a joint NCI/Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) graduate program in clinical pharmacology at the Department of Pharmaceutics of VCU. She worked as a pre-doctoral fellow in the National Cancer Institute and a post-doctoral research associate in the oncology Drug Development Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Michelle joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in Oncology in 2003 and directed the Kimmel Cancer Center’s Analytical Pharmacology Shared Resource Lab, leading a team that conducts tests to see how promising new drugs travel through the body, are absorbed, distributed and metabolized, and what effect they have on cancer cells.

During her impactful career, Michelle built a strong laboratory research team and created strong collegial partnerships both at Johns Hopkins and other institutions. Her lab supports cancer drug discovery throughout the Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, and beyond. She also researched and managed drug interactions among people with cancer who have underlying health conditions, such as liver or other organ dysfunction, to ensure they can safely receive anticancer drugs.

In 2019, Michelle was promoted to full professor. She was the first non-physician recipient of the National Cancer Institute’s Michaele Christian Oncology Development and Lectureship Award, which recognized her leadership in translational research and clinical pharmacology.

Another major contribution has been the commitment Dr. Rudek made to mentoring and encouraging young translational investigators throughout her career. These initiatives have included classroom teaching as well as mentoring students, oncology fellows and faculty, many who have progressed to assume important leadership roles in the drug development field. She delivered lectures and organized workshops that address basic pharmacokinetic principles and was considered a respected thought leader in research pharmacology.

Services will be held Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. A Memorial Service will commence at 1 p.m.

In honor of Dr. Michelle A Rudek, a fund has been established by her family and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center to recognize her legacy.

Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University. Gifts may be mailed with a memo indicating that this gift is in honor of Dr. Rudek and sent to: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202 or make a gift online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/Kimmel (choose other and specify Dr. Michelle Rudek Fund).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Renaut family.