USF Alumni Changed the World

By: Kelly Dyke, Office of Gift Planning, USF

Dr. Fred Angulo ’78, MA ‘79 and Ann Moriarty-Angulo ‘80, are an extraordinary couple whose life journeys took them from their alma mater, the University of San Francisco (USF), to the front lines of the battle against one of the deadliest adversaries of our time: the COVID-19 virus.

Dr. Angulo, a proud graduate of USF with undergraduate and master's degrees in biology, and was recently awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from the USF School of Nursing and Health Professions, for his work with the CDC and Pfizer. Initially having dreamt of becoming a large-animal veterinarian, deeply influenced by his childhood on a California cattle ranch. However, fate had different plans. Following his studies at USF, he pursued veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis, where he gained insights into the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. His passion for public health was born, and he went on to earn a master's degree in public health at UC Davis, laying the foundation for a career devoted to safeguarding public health and ultimately obtaining a PhD from UCLA.

While Dr. Angulo's career was marked by remarkable achievements, Moriarty-Angulo has had an equally exceptional career. She had crossed paths with Dr. Angulo at USF and shared his dedication to making the world a better place. After her time at USF, Moriarty-Angulo became an oncology nurse, working at the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University.

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the globe, Dr. Angulo found himself at Pfizer, serving as the lead epidemiologist. It was here that he played a pivotal role in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, a monumental achievement that he considered the zenith of his scientific career. He and his team at Pfizer provided crucial evidence to U.S. advisory committees, shaping recommendations on vaccine distribution and clinical trial design.

Moriarty-Angulo, on the other hand, was on the front lines of patient care during the pandemic, providing solace and healing to those afflicted by the virus. She witnessed the toll the pandemic took on patients and their families, an experience that strengthened her resolve to see an end to the suffering.

The Angulos eagerly awaited the COVID-19 vaccine, not only for themselves but for their beloved family, including their three sons. Through the challenges and losses, the Angulos clung to the hope that the vaccine Dr. Angulo had helped develop would bring an end to the pandemic.

Their faith in science, education, and the future was fortified by the enduring friendships they had formed at USF, a testament to the robust foundation the university had provided them. With the vaccine's rollout, they glimpsed a "bright light at the end of the tunnel" and a way out of the darkness that had enveloped the world.

The journeys of Dr. Fred Angulo and Ann Moriarty-Angulo, from USF to the vanguard of the fight against COVID-19, embodies the university's commitment to nurturing change-makers who influence the world for the better. Together, they have helped make the world a safer and healthier place. In gratitude for this foundation Fred and Ann have generously remembered USF in their estate plan so that future scientists and nurses are able to benefit from the strong Jesuit education that they credit many of their successes to.

Consider making a difference, like the Angulos, by contributing to the strong Jesuit education at the University of San Francisco (USF) with a gift in your estate or retirement plan. Your support can help nurture the next generation of scientists and nurses, ensuring that they are equipped to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Together, let's continue the legacy of making the world a safer and healthier place for all. Contact Office of Gift Planning at (415) 422-4163 or giftplanning@usfca.edu to get started today.