Marcos Rojkind, a 76-year-old research professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, died Saturday at the GW Hospital.

Rojkind authored more than 140 research papers and brought GW a wealth of knowledge, Jeffrey Akman, interim vice provost for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said.

Rojkind joined the University in 2002.

“Dr. Rojkind was a beloved member of the SMHS and his department, and he will be deeply missed,” Akman said.

Born in Mexico City, Rojkind attended the School of Medicine of the National University of Mexico. He earned Mexico’s highest scientific honor in 1985, the National Science Award.

Rojkind explored the link between liver damage and alcohol consumption, particularly liver cirrhosis – a byproduct of chronic liver disease that is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. He served as a member of the Advisory Council of the Liver Unit at the University of Yale, the president of the Mexican Association of Hepatology for one year and a visiting professor in the department of cell biology at the Free University of Brussels, Belgium.

Throughout his career, Rojkind mentored over 70 trainees.

Akman said Rojkind’s family requested that in place of flowers, individuals wishing to share their condolences make donations to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.