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Marcus Krupp, M.D., Director Emeritus

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Marcus Krupp always dreamed of attending Stanford and becoming a doctor. He made that dream a reality, and was completing his residency in internal medicine when World War II broke out.

Dr. Krupp's first real introduction to laboratory medicine came during World War II, when he was assigned to the clinical laboratory at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco. He served at several military hospitals, including a brief stint in the Philippines. After the war, he was named chief of clinical pathology at the VA Hospital in San Francisco.

After four years at the VA, Dr. Russel Lee recruited him to become director of research and supervisor of laboratories in Palo Alto.

Dr. Krupp's recruited investigators conducted biomedical research of national and international significance in many areas, including immunology, heart muscle function, microbiology, genetics, coronary-artery disease and medical economics.

"We're continually expanding the whole field of knowledge. That's what research is all about. It still has the same excitement for me that it had 50 years ago."

He saw the need for a national organization to advance the cause of independent research organizations. In 1962, he founded the Association of Independent Research Institutes (AIRI), which has grown to 90 members and gained increasing influence with Congress and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For years, he co-edited a popular textbook, "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, and Physician's Handbook," a guide used by physicians worldwide.

Dr. Krupp taught for 50 years on the faculty at Stanford Medical School.
He retired as Research Director in 1986 after 36 years.

Dr. Krupp now spends much of his time gardening with his wife, Donna. He still maintains an office at the Institute, attends grand rounds at Stanford, and participates in the "morning report," where second-year residents present cases of interest.

"I love teaching at the bedside," he says. "I try to bring the young people down to earth."