Kenneth Warren, who served in numerous senior positions at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) from 1976 until his retirement in 2015, including as Acting Director, and who is among the most important figures in both the scientific understanding and public recognition of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), passed away on August 21 in Virginia.

As a scientist and administrator, Dr. Warren was involved in peer review, grants management, committee management, and scientific communications in all areas of alcohol and health. Among his most notable achievements, he established NIAAA’s FASD initiative in the 1970’s and closed his career at the institute as its leader.

Dr. Warren’s passing has led to an outpouring of emotions from researchers and organizations within the FASD community and beyond. Countless scientists and advocates admire with gratitude Dr. Warren for his inspiration, mentorship, and support and hold great affection for him as a dear friend.

Watch Dr. Warren share a timely and everlasting message about FASD.

Read a reflection from FASD United Senior Vice President for Prevention and Recovery Services, Kathy Mitchell:

“I first met Ken in the 1980’s at the first open house of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) (now FASD United). He was welcoming and kind to me as he shared some of his past work in the field of fetal alcohol syndrome. I knew I had met a dear friend and a real gem. Over the years our paths crossed at numerous Capitol Hill hearings and briefings, meetings of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on FASD (ICCFASD), international FASD conferences, and NOFAS galas and events.”

“He gladly participated every year as a lecturer for the NOFAS Georgetown University Medical School Selective and joined me at the podium whenever I asked. Ken was an interested listener as I shared my concerns over how the stigma towards birth mothers was impeding FASD prevention and diagnosis. He also listened intently to my suspicions around alcohol use and fetal and infant death as well as long-term health effects on individuals with FASD. He invited me to participate and connect with his researchers including the Collaborative Initiative on FASD (CIFASD) and Prenatal Alcohol, SIDS, and Stillbirth Research (PASS) network. I will miss Ken’s sweet smile, his hugs and his sincere support and recognition of my work as a spokesperson and birth mother. RIP my friend.” 

Read Kenneth Warren’s obituary.