Alumnus Hyatt Mourned

Dr. Asher A. Hyatt, whose name was often considered to be synonymous with peer review, died on Aug. 27 at the age of 87. He was a native of London who continued to live in Bethesda during the retirement years that followed his 31 years of service in the Division of Research Grants.

Hyatt, who received his University of London Ph.D. in organic chemistry, provided leadership and guidance to 20 peer review study sections in the basic sciences. When he retired in 1997, he was chief of the chemistry and related sciences review section.

Many DRG leaders who followed him have described the profound positive impact of his mentoring and of his unswerving commitment to excellence, fairness and integrity. His pursuit of these objectives led him to serve with distinction on NIH-wide policy and procedure committees. 

Hyatt was a strong advocate for the NIH peer review process who presented many talks about it in this country and in others. He was a recipient of the NIH Merit Award in 1980, the NIH Director’s Award for leadership skills in 1983, and three Public Health Service special achievement and recognition awards.

During retirement, Hyatt continued to have a keen interest in public policy and the sciences. He was very interested in seeing enhanced research about the chemistry of belief.

He is survived by a son, Anthony Hyatt of Bethesda; a daughter, Victoria Hyatt Cahn of Carmel, Ind., and two grandchildren, Sophia and Aaron Cahn of Carmel.