Golestan co-founder and Executive Director, Yalda Modabber, lost her father on May 29th, 2025. In honor of his lifelong devotion to Persian language, literature, music, and culture, Golestan has established a preschool scholarship fund in his memory.
He was an avid supporter of Golestan for nearly twenty years. He was especially passionate about supporting scholarships that make Golestan accessible to families who might not otherwise have access to a school like ours.
Farrokh Modabber at the 2024 Golestan Fundraiser
Dr. Farrokh Modabber was born in Rasht, Iran, in 1940, and became a pioneering immunologist whose groundbreaking research on leishmaniasis and neglected tropical diseases saved countless lives worldwide. After earning his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from UCLA in 1968, he conducted research at Harvard Medical School and served in leadership roles at prestigious institutions including Pahlavi University, Tehran University School of Public Health, the Pasteur Institute of Iran, and the World Health Organization.
But beyond his brilliant scientific mind, Farrokh possessed an irrepressible love for Persian culture that permeated every aspect of his life. He cherished Persian poetry, could pick up any traditional instrument—violin, tar, setar—and bring it to life with his magnetic touch. His deep appreciation for Persian literature and art wasn’t just personal; it was something he shared generously with everyone around him, embodying the rich cultural heritage of his homeland with every story he told and every melody he played.
Farrokh had what can only be described as joie de vivre—an infectious joy for life that lit up every room he entered. Dignified yet charismatic, he possessed a twinkle in his eye and a devilish charm that drew people in. If you knew him, he was probably one of your favorite people on earth. He moved through the world with fearless playfulness, guided by favorite sayings like “Drive fast and take chances,” “life has become sweet” [in Persian], and “Such is life.”
His generosity knew no bounds—if he saw you admiring his shirt, he might take it off and give it to you without a second thought. Everyone wanted to be near him, and no one ever came away having had enough. He was a dedicated mentor who bridged global scientific communities not just with intellect, but with warmth and genuine human connection.
Farrokh is survived by his loving wife, Marlies; sons Nader, Zia and wife Trish, and Ramin and wife Monica; daughter Yalda and her husband Matthew; six grandchildren—Samantha, Josh, Benjamin, Isaac, Kian, and Manu—beloved nieces and nephews, and dear friends and colleagues across the globe.
As colleague Dr. Graham Rook noted, he was “an inspirational thinker and advisor, and an utterly charming man full of culture, humor, and kindness in addition to his scientific acumen.”
A preschool scholarship fund has been created to honor Farrokh’s profound love for Persian culture and language. This fund specifically supports families in need of tuition assistance for Golestan’s Persian immersion preschool program, ensuring that young children can begin their educational journey immersed in the language, music, literature, and traditions that Farrokh held so dear. Like the man himself, this scholarship aims to plant seeds of cultural joy and curiosity that will grow throughout a child’s lifetime.
Farrokh & Yalda Modabber