Marc van Iersel, University of Georgia professor and researcher, dies at age 57

Marc van Iersel, a respected researcher and professor at the University of Georgia, died on April 20. He was 57.

Canadidus, a company van Iersel co-founded and was chief science offer at, posted the following statement on LinkedIn announcing his passing. 

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Co-founder and Chief Science Officer, Marc van Iersel. Marc’s wife and loved ones were able to spend time with him over the last few days and were at his side when he passed away last night.

True to the end in science, Marc donated his body to the Cornell Medical School where they will use it for cancer research.

We send condolences to his family & know that he will rest in peace." 

A native of the Netherlands, van Iersel emigrated to the United States in 1990 for graduate school. Among his contributions to the controlled environment agriculture industry was the development of an online electricity cost calculator. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 2 at the Day Chapel at the UGA Botanical Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the Marc van Iersel Student Travel Fund for Controlled Environment Agriculture, marcvanierselfund.org, or to your local animal shelter.