Lorraine Meisner

Lorraine Faxon Meisner, Ph.D., age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin, where she resided for many years.

Lorraine was a trailblazing scientist, educator, and humanitarian whose career spanned more than five decades at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She received her Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Chicago in 1966 and joined the faculty at UW–Madison in 1968. She later became a full professor in the Departments of Population Health Sciences and Pathology at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and continued her association with the university as an Emerita Professor.

Dr. Meisner served for more than 30 years as Director of the Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory at UW–Madison and the State of Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene. Her research focused on the identification and significance of genetic changes associated with cancer and abnormal somatic development, including cytogenetic aberrations linked to birth defects. Her work bridged epidemiology and molecular genetics and advanced understanding of malignant transformation at the chromosomal level. Her findings were published in many of the world’s most preeminent scientific journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Among her many contributions, Dr. Meisner directed the chromosomal studies of the first embryonic stem cell lines derived in 1998; a significant achievement in modern biomedical research. Over the course of her career, she authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications across the fields of genetics, cancer, and dermatology. She was board-certified in cytogenetics and was a founding member of the American College of Medical Genetics. Dr. Meisner was also co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cell Line Genetics, Inc, a company focused on the quality assurance of cells used for stem cell research, cell therapy and oncology research.

Lorraine also applied her scientific expertise to innovations in dermatology and skincare. She authored numerous patents in the field of anti-aging science and was the first to patent the use of vitamin C for topical skin care, work that became the foundation for the original Cellex-C product line.

Beyond her numerous scientific accomplishments, Lorraine was a passionate champion of human rights, with a particular dedication to advancing women’s rights. She supported these causes generously through advocacy and philanthropy, reflecting a lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and the public good.

Those who knew Lorraine will remember her not only for her intellect and professional distinction, but also for her extraordinary generosity of spirit. She carried herself with warmth, optimism, and a consistently cheerful outlook, and her legacy lives on through her groundbreaking research, the many collaborators and students she mentored, her advocacy for human rights, and the countless lives she touched through her generosity and kindness.

Above all, Lorraine treasured her family and close friendships. She will be remembered for her kindness, humor, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering belief in the power of knowledge to improve the world.

Lorraine is survived by her son, William Meisner; her daughter, Anne Meisner; her grandson, Justin Herrera; her son-in-law, Roberto Herrera; and her daughter-in-law, Lisa Meisner.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434