Prof. J. Carlos Pastor: Obituary and Legacy

Abstract

Professor Dr. J. Carlos Pastor, born in Madrid in 1951, passed away on January 30th, 2025, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Throughout his final two years, he shared his journey on social media, embracing the challenge of living optimistically with a terminal illness, hoping to inspire others facing similar struggles. A natural leader and passionate mentor, Prof. Pastor taught Ophthalmology at the Medical School, training numerous generations of residents, young ophthalmologists in the Master of Ophthalmic Subspecialties program, as well as optometrists and scientists in the Master and PhD programs in Visual Sciences. He initiated all these educational programs in his University. His trainees number over 300 professionals, who now practice in Spain and across Latin America. Prof. Pastor was deeply committed to research, believing that excellence in clinical care could only be achieved through the work of clinician-scientists. To foster this philosophy, he sent many of his trained residents, optometrists, and scientists abroad for postdoctoral training. This international exposure laid the foundation for the creation of the Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA) at the University of Valladolid, which became a renowned center for translational research. For his exceptional leadership, mentorship, integrity, and unwavering commitment to students, patients, professionals, friends, and relatives Prof. Pastor will be deeply and forever missed.