It is with profound sadness that all of us at Bay Area Lyme Foundation mourn the loss of Brandon Jutras, PhD, an extraordinary scientist, a treasured research partner, and a dear friend to so many in the Lyme disease community.
Brandon was one of the brightest minds in Lyme disease research. Brilliant, endlessly curious, and driven by a genuine desire to improve the lives of Lyme patients, he dedicated his career to understanding Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. His work transformed our understanding of bacterial biology and pathogenesis while opening entirely new avenues for the development of desperately needed diagnostics and treatments.
Bay Area Lyme Foundation was honored to recognize Brandon as a recipient of our 2021 Emerging Leader Award, and he was the recipient of samples from our Lyme Disease Biobank. We supported his visionary work to develop a novel direct-detection diagnostic for Lyme disease. His research focused on detecting peptidoglycan, a unique component of the Lyme bacterium’s cell wall, as a biomarker for acute infection, an innovative approach that challenged conventional thinking and held tremendous promise for improving early diagnosis.
Over the years, we watched Brandon’s career flourish. From his early work at Virginia Tech to his leadership as an Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, he became an internationally respected researcher with the Jutras Lab continually pushing the boundaries of what was known about Lyme disease. His discoveries regarding the role of Borrelia peptidoglycan reshaped our understanding and inspired countless collaborations among scientists working toward better answers and outcomes for patients.
But Brandon’s legacy extends far beyond his noted scientific achievements.
Those fortunate enough to have known Brandon will remember his generosity, humility, infectious enthusiasm, and willingness to mentor the next generation of researchers. He approached science with intellectual rigor and creativity, but he never lost sight of the people behind the research. He understood that every experiment, every publication, and every breakthrough represented hope for individuals and families living with Lyme disease.
His passion was contagious. Whether presenting his latest findings, collaborating with colleagues, or encouraging young investigators entering the field, Brandon brought an energy that elevated everyone around him. He embodied everything Bay Area Lyme Foundation hopes to foster through our Emerging Leader Award program: scientific excellence, fearless innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to improving patient care.
His passing leaves an immeasurable void in the Lyme disease research community. Yet his influence will continue to be felt through the discoveries he made, the scientists he inspired, and the research directions he helped define. The work he began will continue because of the strong scientific foundation he built and the many colleagues who share his vision.
Our hearts are with Brandon’s family, friends, students, laboratory members, and colleagues during this time. We are grateful to have known him, proud to have supported his work, and deeply honored to have had him as part of the Bay Area Lyme Foundation family.
Brandon’s life reminds us that one remarkable scientist can help to change an entire field. His curiosity, compassion, and brilliance will continue to inspire us as we carry forward the mission to find better diagnostics, better treatments, and ultimately a cure for Lyme disease.
He will be deeply missed.
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The information in this blog was taken from Lymedisease.org and an obituary Dr. Jutras’s wife posted on LinkedIn.