It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and untimely passing of our beloved Danica Stanimirović. Danica passed on January, 17 2024 at the Ottawa General Hospital.
Danica’s life was nothing short of exceptional anyway you look at it.
Danica got the very first public acknowledgment of her talent for math and science in her native Serbia in 1977 when selected, after a grueling entrance exam, as one of only 120 freshmen students of the prestigious Belgrade Mathematical Grammar School. Danica very soon realized that the life has way more to offer besides the “core business” of math and science (in both of which she naturally excelled). During her teenage years, Danica developed love for art. Her literary work was awarded on numerous occasions during her high school and university years. Unknown to many, Danica was also part of a very vibrant Belgrade punk scene in the early 1980s as a keyboard player for a local band named “We want no compromises”. Indeed, throughout her life, she was never willing to make any compromise when it came to her professional or personal integrity.
Danica began her very successful studies of Medicine in 1981 followed immediately by her Ph.D. studies that she pursued in parallel with her clinical residency activities. In 1988 she became the youngest Ph.D. holder in former Yugoslavia, a country of some 23 million souls.
Danica began her North American scientific career in 1991 by successfully completing a two-year postdoctoral stunt at NIH in Bethesda, MD. Her work didn’t get unnoticed by the NRC management and, in the summer of 1993, Danica and her husband Dusan moved North to Ottawa where she would spend over 30 years with the NRC until her untimely departure this past Wednesday.
During her 31 year tenure with the National Research Council in Ottawa, she achieved everything that can be reasonably expected of a human being. At the time of her premature death she was the Director of the NRC’s Translational Bioscience Department where she has led strategic NRC Programs and served on Scientific Advisory Boards of many biopharma companies and numerous international R&D initiatives. Danica was also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The Government of Canada recognized her achievements by awarding her the Public Service Award of Excellence in 2023. Danica has authored over 170 manuscripts and holds 22 patents in the field of integrative neuroscience.
While, without a shadow of a doubt, a top notch neuroscientist and a leader, Danica was foremost an exceptional human being. Shy and modest beyond reasonable, Danica would avoid bringing up any of her professional achievements as topics of conversation. It was art, gardening and travels that she enjoyed to chat about. Unconditionally devoted to her husband Dusan, Danica was respected for her intelligence and wisdom and truly loved, by anyone who knew her, for the largesse of her pristine soul.
She was predeceased by her parents Emilija and Branislav. Danica is survived by her husband of 32 years, Dušan Đurić, and her younger brother Dušan Stanimirović (Svjetlana). Danica was the proud aunt of Uroš and Luka.
Visitation will be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 2PM. A Memorial Service will follow in the Sacred Space at 3:00PM, followed by a reception. For those not able to attend the Service in person, the Service will be Live Streamed - you may register here.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Danica Stanimirović Memorial Fund.
Digital Guestbook
Raj Nagaraja
Ally Pen
I am shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dana. I had the privilege to be her graduate student. She was a great mentor and an inspiration to me. I am very grateful for all her support. She will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to Dusan, family and friends during this difficult time. May loving memories ease your loss and bring you peace and comfort.
Wanlei Wei
We were all very saddened and shocked to have heard about this news. Danica's exceptional achievements, kindness, and personality will continue to touch us and reach us at the NRC and beyond. My condolences to Danica's family.
Traian Sulea
It is with heavy soul that I write these few words about Danica. First, sincere condolences to her family. In the HHT family at the NRC which I am also part of, her sudden departure leaves a sense of void, of less depth, both in science and leadership. Personally, working together on many fascinating projects, I have learned a lot from her, but mostly, she made me a better person. She excelled at everything she touched, science and art alike. So talented and prolific, and such an admirable human being. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten, Danica!
Kasandra Belanger
My condolences to Dana's family and friends.
I was privileged to work with Dana since my very first day at the NRC. She has always been a great mentor to me. She always supported me and provided me with several opportunities. I enjoyed traveling with her at different occasions. She will be truly missed.
Surjit Dixit
My deepest condolences to the NRC team on the loss of Danica. I had interacted with Danica when we were developing biologics to target the CNS. I was impressed to see Danica’s deep commitment to create opportunities in that avenue for therapeutic delivery. The field will miss her. I pray for peace and comfort to her near and dear ones.
Freya Vercauteren (NRC)
Please accept our sincere condolences.
It has been a pleasure and a privilige working with Dana at NRC. She was a remarkable worman: a passionate and inspiring neuroscientist, MD, and artist. She was very knowledgeable, humble and generous. We miss you dearly, Dana
Lidija
I am deeply saddened by the sudden departure of this wonderful and remarkable women. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know and appreciate her. My heartfelt condolences to the Stanimirovic and Djuric families. May her soul rest in peace.
Reina Bendayan, University of Toronto
We will dearly miss Dana!! A great colleague, remarkable neuroscientist and friend!
My deepest condolences to her family.
Abby, Noah, Danielle, and Lucas Djelic
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Danica was an exceptional person. Danica was so kind and I never heard a single person say anything but positive comments about Danica. I will always remember our countless drives to and back from work together during my time at NRC. Dušan - we are thinking of you and your family as you honour Danica’s remarkable life and the memories you shared. Rest in peace, Danica.
The news of Danica's passing was a shock. Having met and talked to her in several conferences along with interesting conversations on brain drug delivery, I looked forward to meeting her in future conferences. The CVB 2007 meeting she organized at Ottawa was superb. The field has lost a great scientist and a wonderful person. My condolences to Danica's family.