Giacomo A Meschia

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Giacomo Meschia, who left us peacefully at the age of 99 years on Thursday, September 4, 2025. He fought valiantly against heart disease, macular degeneration, and Parkinson disease. Born in Milan, Italy, Dr. Meschia was the son of an innovative engineer who designed one of the first espresso machines.

Dr. Meschia earned his medical degree at the University of Milan, where his earliest laboratory experience involved studying lead poisoning in the workplace. His illustrious career in physiology began under the mentorship of Professor Rodolfo Margaria in Milan. In 1953, thanks to a fellowship sponsored by the renowned opera conductor Toscanini, Dr. Meschia traveled to the United States to work at Yale University in the laboratory of Dr. David Hitchcock. At Yale, he had the privilege of collaborating and learning from Dr. Donald Barron.

Throughout his career, Dr. Meschia worked tirelessly to understand the fundamentals of fetal respiration. He is renowned for his groundbreaking experiment demonstrating the phenomenon of uphill water flow related to osmosis. His early research also included an adventurous expedition to Peru to study pregnant llamas.

Dr. Meschia's journey led him from Yale to the University of Colorado, where he became a professor of physiology and concluded his remarkable career. In honor of his contributions, CU Medicine established the Giacomo Meschia, MD, Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Neonatal-Perinatal Research in 2023. Among his many accolades, Dr. Meschia received the Virginia Apgar Award in Perinatal Pediatrics in 1984 and was the Sir William Liley Lecturer for the Perinatal Research Society in 1996.

On a more personal note, Dr. Meschia fell in love with Irene Battaglia, the sister of Frederick Battaglia, a perinatologist and pediatrician with whom he had decades of productive research collaborations. Irene and Giacomo met in New Haven, eventually moved to Denver, and raised a loving family together. Dr. Meschia was a man of faith and science, never seeing them in conflict. He was stoic and reserved by nature, yet those who knew him well cherished his vast capacity for love and understanding. His inquisitive spirit remained with him throughout his life.

Dr. Meschia is survived by his beloved wife, Irene, his sons James, Steven, and Philip, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His legacy of scientific excellence, mentorship, and devotion to family and faith will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Giacomo's memory to the American Parkinson's Disease Association HERE or to The Society of St. Vincent De Paul HERE.