Dr. Amina Sara Woods, a Baltimore-based, internationally respected scientist and academic, died on Monday, Mar. 31. The Pikesville resident was 81.
Woods was considered a leading expert in immunology, pharmacology, and scientific research and education.
From 1999 to 2021, she served as director of the structural biology unit at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.
She also served as an adjunct professor in the department of pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine since 2013. In addition, Woods held a position on the executive advisory board for the department of pediatrics and division of neonatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine since 2016.
Earlier in her career, Woods worked as a laboratory scientist in the clinical chemistry laboratory at the University of Maryland Hospital from 1976 to 1979. In 1979, she joined the School of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University as a laboratory coordinator and supervisor in the division of clinical pharmacology.
Woods received her bachelor of science degree from Loyola College in 1972, a master’s degree in pathology from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1975, and a doctorate in pharmacology and molecular sciences in 1992 from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She also received post-doctoral training in oncology immunology from Hopkins.
Woods was named “Best in Medicine” by the American Health Council for her work in the field of molecular science research and education.
Known for her scholarly output, Woods contributed numerous papers to several academic magazines and publications, including the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.
In her spare time, Woods enjoyed French literature and art.
“Amina’s remarkable career as a scientist was defined by her tireless dedication to improving the lives of others,” her family wrote on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “She made significant contributions to the fields of traumatic brain injury research, Fentanyl intervention technologies, and pharmacological advancements. Her work continues to inspire the medical community.”
The post went on to state, “Amina was known not only for her brilliance but for her generosity and humility, always striving to make a difference without seeking recognition. Outside of her scientific achievements, Amina was an animal lover, especially fond of cats, and often went out of her way to care for wildlife in her neighborhood. Her kindness extended beyond people to all creatures, great and small. She will be missed dearly by her many friends who always knew her to be the special person she was.”
Woods is survived by her husband, Robin Lee Woods; her daughter, Nadine Franks; and her grandson, Noah Berne. She was predeceased by her parents, Salakh El Damati and Mary Azubel.
A celebration of life will be held for Woods at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, on Monday, Apr. 7, at 1 p.m.
Contributions in her memory may be sent to the National Audubon Society (audubon.org) 225 Varick Street 7th Floor, New York, New York 10014 or to the Sierra Club (sierraclub.org), 2101 Webster Street, Suite 1300, Oakland, California 94612 or to Maryland Public Television (mpt.org), 11767 Owings Mills Boulevard, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
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