Vernon Ahmadjian

WORCESTER - Vernon Ahmadjian, Ph.D., 81, a resident of Worcester and Falmouth, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Falmouth Hospital after an illness. He was born and raised in Whitinsville, the son of Armenian immigrants, Nishan and Annie (Ohanian) Ahmadjian, and lived over 40 years in Worcester.

Dr. Ahmadjian graduated from Northbridge High School and received his Bachelor’s degree from Clark University in 1952. After two years of military service with the United States Army Combat Medical Corps in Korea, he returned to Clark where he earned a Master’s degree in 1956. He received his Ph.D from Harvard University in 1960.

At various subsequent academic posts, including the University of Massachusetts, University of California at Berkeley and, most notably at Clark University, he developed techniques to isolate and culture lichens in the laboratory. Dr. Ahmadjian’s research led to numerous discoveries concerning the nature of lichen symbiosis. His scholarship was remarkable both for its significance and its breadth. He provided the National Cancer Institute with special lichen cultures for screening programs designed to identify cancer and AID-fighting compounds. He has authored and co-authored hundreds of research articles and numerous books, among them three entitled The Lichen Symbiosis (1973), “Symbiosis (An introduction to Biological Associations)” which he co-authored with Surindar Paracer in 1986, and “Flower Plants of Massachusetts” (1979).

In 1967 the National Science Foundation awarded him the Antarctic Medal for his work on lichens at McMurdo station in Antarctica and announced that a peak in the Queen Alexandria Range of the Transantarctic Montains, Antarctic had been named “Ahmadjian Peak” in his honor.
He was a member of several professional associations including the International Association for Lichenology (IAL) and the AAAS. He was also a member of the Tower Hill Botanical Garden in Boylston and enjoyed spending time with his wife and family at their Falmouth home.

Dr. Ahmadjian was considered a kind and most gracious colleague and teacher and was always willing to provide assistance and advice. He was the first editor of the International Lichenological Newsletter and was an active participant in the IAL. In 1996, for his lifetime achievements in Lichenology and pioneering research and recognition of his civility and generosity, Vernon was awarded the “Acharius Medal” by the IAL.

He is survived by his wife, Janice M. Johnson; two sons, Christopher J. Ahmadjian and his wife Jane Chilton of Worcester and Jonathan M. Ahmadjian of Kingston, NY; a daughter, Christina L. Ahmadjian of Tokyo; two step-sons, Timothy Sweeney and his wife Margoux of Falmouth, and Joseph Sweeney, III and his wife Julie of Oxford; a step-daughter, Kathleen Lemoine and her husband John of Princeton; grandchildren, Elin, Ryan, Allison, Grace, Patrick, Abigail, and Elizabeth; many nephews and nieces. His first wife, June (Allstrom) Ahmadjian died in 1972. He is also predeceased by four brothers, Archver (Archie), Michael, Azad, and Harry Ahmadjian.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In celebration of Dr. Ahmadjian’s life, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, at the funeral home. The Rev. Douglas Geeze will be officiating. Burial will be private in Rural Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Church Street Station, P. O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com .