Edward Mocarski, Ph.D. and Pratyusha Mandal, Ph.D. are internationally recognized leaders in programmed cell death with particular emphasis on necroptosis. The full spectrum of necroptosis signaling became clear through their investigation of virus-encoded cell death suppressors. Contributions of cell death signaling to inflammation as well as immunity emerged from their investigations. Dr. Mandal received a Ph.D. in Virology from Purdue University and completed postdoctoral at Emory University with Dr. Mocarski before joining City University of New York (Lehman College) as an Assistant Professor where her current research interests continue in the areas of acute and chronic infection as well as pathogen-encoded cell death suppressors. Dr. Mocarski received a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Iowa and completed postdoctoral study at The University of Chicago with Dr. Bernard Roizman before joining the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University between 1983 and 2006 and at Emory University as Robert W. Woodruff Professor between 2006 and 2021.