Longtime MIT educator Anthony “Tony” Sinskey ScD ’67, who was also the co-founder and faculty leader of the Center for Biomedical Innovation (CBI), passed away on February 12 at his residence in New Hampshire. He was 84 years old.

Deeply involved with MIT, Sinskey left an indelible impression on the Institute not only through his research but also through the connections he fostered. Colleagues state that during his extensive tenure on the faculty, Sinskey’s door was perpetually ajar.

“He was remarkably generous in countless ways,” asserts Graham Walker, an American Cancer Society Professor at MIT. “He was immensely willing to assist others, acting purely out of genuine affection and dedication. If you could only observe Tony in action, there was something incredibly endearing about how he lived his life. I’ve claimed for years that once they made Tony, they shattered the mold. He was genuinely unique.”

Sinskey’s laboratory at MIT investigated techniques for metabolic engineering and the creation of biomolecules. Throughout his research career, he authored over 350 articles in prominent peer-reviewed journals focused on biology, metabolic engineering, and biopolymer engineering, in addition to filing over 50 patents. Renowned within the biopharmaceutical sector, Sinskey was instrumental in founding numerous companies, including Metabolix, Tepha, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, and Genzyme Corporation. His work with CBI also resulted in significant research papers, manufacturing initiatives, and educational content since its inception in 2005.

In all his endeavors, Sinskey earned a reputation as an encouraging, cooperative, and highly engaging friend, seemingly possessing a story for every occasion.

“Tony would always seek my viewpoints — what was my perspective?” recalls Barbara Imperiali, MIT’s Class of 1922 Professor of Biology and Chemistry, who first encountered Sinskey while pursuing her graduate studies. “Despite my younger age, he regarded me as an equal. Sharing my academic experiences with him was exhilarating. Even later on, he consistently opened opportunities for me, mentoring and making connections. He believed it was his duty to bring people together to forge new relationships.”

Sinskey was raised in the small town of Collinsville, Illinois, and spent his evenings after school working on a farm. For his undergraduate studies, he attended the University of Illinois, where he found employment washing dishes in the dining hall. One day, as he recounted in a 2020 discussion, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the dishwashing position to his advisor, who then offered him a position cleaning equipment in his microbiology lab.

In a scenario that would recur throughout Sinskey’s career, he connected with the researchers in the lab and began to learn about their work. Before long, he was arriving on weekends to assist. This experience motivated Sinskey to pursue graduate studies, and he applied to just one institution.

Sinskey earned his ScD from MIT in nutrition and food science in 1967. He joined the faculty at MIT a few years later and remained there for his entire career.

“He cherished MIT and its outstanding research and educational standards, both of which mattered immensely to him,” Walker remarks. “I can’t think of another institution this interdisciplinary — there’s hardly a speed bump between departments — enabling collaboration with anyone. He relished that dynamic. He also appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit, which inspired him. If he heard someone needed to get a project accomplished, he could quickly gather 10 people and pull it together. He truly enjoyed engaging in such activities.”

Collaborating across various departments became a hallmark of Sinskey’s research. His initial office was located on the first floor of MIT’s Building 56, right by the parking area; he would keep his door open in the mornings and afternoons, inviting colleagues to drop by and converse.

“One of my favorite activities was to pop in on Tony whenever I noticed his office door was open,” remarks Chris Kaiser, MIT’s Amgen Professor of Biology. “We had an array of topics we enjoyed discussing, however, they always included his reflections on his extensive history at MIT, along with aspirations for the future, particularly regarding the trajectories of MIT students, whom he adored.”

Long before the digital age, colleagues characterized Sinskey as a type of internet in his own right, continually utilizing his extensive network of connections to make introductions and keep abreast of the latest scientific developments.

“He was an exceptionally kind individual — and he was acquainted with everyone,” Imperiali shares. “It was as if his Rolodex had no limits. You would sit with him, and he would advise, ‘Dial this person.’ or ‘Contact that individual.’ And ‘Did you catch this new article?’ He maintained a wonderful perspective on science and cooperation, making that a cornerstone of his work. Whenever I’d notice his door open, I would grab a cup of tea and simply engage him in conversation.”

When the first recombinant DNA molecules were created in the 1970s, it became a highly sought-after field of study. Eager to delve deeper into recombinant DNA, Sinskey organized a sizable symposium on the subject at MIT, gathering experts from around the globe.

“He became synonymous with recombinant DNA for years as a result of that,” Walker recalls. “People began to refer to him as Mr. Recombinant DNA. Such occurrences were typical for Tony.”

Sinskey’s research achievements extended beyond recombinant DNA to other microbial methodologies for synthesizing amino acids and biodegradable plastics. He co-founded CBI in 2005 with the aim of enhancing global health through the advancement and dissemination of biomedical innovations. The center embraced Sinskey’s cooperative approach to expedite innovation in biotechnology and biomedical research, uniting specialists from various MIT schools.

“Tony was at the forefront of promoting cell culture engineering principles to facilitate the actualization of biomedicines. He recognized early on that biomanufacturing represented a crucial step on the pathway from drug discovery to patient delivery,” states Stacy Springs, the executive director of CBI. “Tony was not just my supervisor and mentor but also one of my closest companions. He was perpetually working to assist everyone in reaching their potential, whether they were colleagues, former or current researchers, or students. He had a gentle approach to encouraging you to excel.”

“MIT is one of the finest places to be, as you can pursue anything you desire here, provided it’s not unlawful,” Sinskey quipped in 2020. “You can conduct science, instruct, and interact with individuals — and the faculty at MIT are extraordinary to engage with.”

Sinskey conveyed his love for MIT to his family. His wife, the late ChoKyun Rha ’62, SM ’64, SM ’66, ScD ’67, was an MIT professor for over four decades and the first woman of Asian descent to achieve tenure at the Institute. Both of his sons are also MIT alumni — Tong-ik Lee Sinskey ’79, SM ’80 and Taeminn Song MBA ’95, who serves as the director of strategy and strategic initiatives for MIT Information Systems and Technology (IS&T).

Song reflects: “He was motivated by the same aspiration my mother had: to enhance knowledge in science and technology by exploring new concepts and encouraging everyone around them to improve.”

About a decade ago, Sinskey commenced teaching a course with Walker, Course 7.21/7.62 (Microbial Physiology). Walker states their method was to regard the students as peers and learn just as much from them as they imparted. The lessons transcended the inner workings of microbes, encompassing what is required to be an excellent scientist and how to nurture creativity. Sinskey and Rha even began inviting the class to their home for Thanksgiving dinner each year.

“At some point, we recognized that the class was evolving into a tight-knit community,” Walker notes. “Tony had an endless reservoir of anecdotes. It seemed there was no biological topic about which Tony didn’t have a story, whether connected to launching a company or collaborating with someone who did.”

In recent years, Walker was uncertain if they would continue teaching the course, but Sinskey remarked it was one of the aspects of his life that provided meaning after his wife’s passing in 2021. That settled the matter.

After concluding this past semester with a class-wide lunch at Legal Sea Foods, Sinskey and Walker agreed it had been one of the most rewarding semesters they’d ever experienced.

Along with his two sons, Sinskey is survived by his daughter-in-law Hyunmee Elaine Song, five grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. He also has two brothers, Terry Sinskey (deceased in 1975) and Timothy Sinskey, as well as a sister, Christine Sinskey Braudis.

Contributions in Sinskey’s memory may be made to the ChoKyun Rha (1962) and Anthony J Sinskey (1967) Fund.