By Dawn M. Cwierley

A pioneering researcher who helped bridge engineering, mathematics, cybernetics and neuroscience, Leibovic spent more than three decades on the UB faculty, deepening understanding of the visual system and helping shape interdisciplinary approaches to brain research.

He joined the school’s Department of Biophysics (now the Department of Physiology and Biophysics) in 1963 and retired in 1996 as professor emeritus. In addition to his appointment in biophysics, he served as an adjunct professor of ophthalmology, was affiliated with UB’s Center for Theoretical Biology and played an influential role in the Center for Cognitive Science. 

Born in Lithuania in 1921, Leibovic studied engineering at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and mathematics at Birkbeck College, University of London, before immigrating to the United States in 1960. After working at Westinghouse Research Laboratories in Pittsburgh, he joined UB, where he established himself as a leading researcher exploring how the brain receives, processes and interprets information from the world around us.

Drawn to questions of vision and perception, Leibovic pursued research at the intersection of mathematics, engineering and neuroscience. Inspired in part by the landmark 1959 paper “What the Frog’s Eye Tells the Frog’s Brain,” he investigated how neural networks process visual information, helping to illuminate the mechanisms by which the brain constructs perception. His work reflected a long-lasting fascination with the relationship between biological systems and quantitative science.

Leibovic's desire to understand how things worked remained a defining trait throughout his life, according to his son, Steve Leibovic, MD, a retired orthopedic hand surgeon.

“Dad was always curious. How do things work? What can I learn about this natural phenomenon? This machine? This technique?” he recalled. “It was his innate curiosity that propelled him in his scientific career.”

Long before artificial intelligence and computational neuroscience became part of the academic mainstream, Leibovic was exploring how mathematical principles could be used to investigate brain function. Beyond his own research, he helped build the foundations of theoretical neuroscience at UB, authored the influential book “Nervous System Theory” and edited major scholarly volumes that shaped scholarly dialogue on vision, perception and brain function.

But those who knew him say his legacy extends well beyond his research accomplishments.

“Nick was a kind and brilliant man,” said Jack M. Sullivan, MD, PhD, professor of ophthalmology and adjunct professor of pharmacology and physiology/biophysics at the Jacobs School. “We were scientific colleagues separated by time, united by a fascination with understanding how the visual system works. His intellect, curiosity and contributions continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.”

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Leibovic’s life story was equally remarkable.

Born to a Jewish family in Lithuania, Leibovic was forced to leave school after Jewish students were expelled following the rise of Nazi Germany. Sent to England in 1939 to continue his education, he was separated from his family during World War II before eventually building a distinguished academic career in the United States.

Steve Leibovic said his father was grateful for the opportunities he found in England and later the United States, but believed success came through hard work, deep thought and a lifelong commitment to learning.

In later years, Leibovic spoke frequently about the Holocaust, sharing lessons of tolerance and understanding with students and community groups.

For the Jacobs School community, Leibovic represented a living connection to the formative years of modern neuroscience and biophysics. His life spanned more than a century of discovery and historical change, yet he remained defined by humility, humanity and a deep interest in the world around him.

In retirement, he pursued artistic interests, creating his own artwork while continuing to engage with scientific ideas and community audiences. Friends, colleagues and family members remember a man whose warmth and generosity were matched by his passion for learning.

The Jacobs School extends its condolences to Leibovic's family, friends, former students and colleagues. His enduring curiosity, contributions to neuroscience and generosity of spirit leave a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of researchers, educators and physicians.