A colleague, mentor and friend
Over 80 former students and colleagues of the late Professor Jim Staunton came to the department for a memorial symposium in September 2024 to celebrate his life and career.
Jim’s research group in Cambridge studied the biosynthesis of polyketides and biomimetic synthesis from 1969 until he retired in 2001. Jim was widely regarded as a leader in his field and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1998 for his “outstanding contributions to our knowledge of the biosynthesis of natural products.”
Speakers noted Jim’s scientific rigour and clear thinking, but beyond the inspiring science he was clearly held in great affection by his students and colleagues, who returned to Cambridge from senior positions across the world to recall happy memories from his group.
"I became part of the family. He was a lifelong friend and mentor.”
Jim Staunton at the Royal Society.
Jim Staunton at the Royal Society.
From left: Alison Hill, Finian Leeper, Helen Hailes and Barrie Wilkinson.
From left: Alison Hill, Finian Leeper, Helen Hailes and Barrie Wilkinson.
Helen Hailes, who helped organise the symposium and is the Alexander Williamson Professor of Chemistry at University College London, introduced the day by highlighting some recollections of Jim and reading out a message from Professor John Vederas of the University of Alberta, who was unable to attend: “I was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Jim, who was an internationally recognised scientific trailblazer. Even more impactfully he was a wonderful person who uplifted those he interacted with. He was modest, humorous, curious and wonderfully creative and is sorely missed by all of us.”
“I think that sums up Jim perfectly,” she said.
Lifelong mentor
Talks at the symposium demonstrated the breadth of Jim’s scientific influence on his students and his continuing interest in their careers. “Jim introduced me to polyketides, which I then worked with for the next 30 years,” said Barrie Wilkinson, who also helped organise the symposium and is Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the John Innes Centre in Norwich.
Jim’s sense of humour was also remembered. “He was never boastful, he was modest, quietly determined and had a wicked sense of humour,” said Helen in her introduction. Chris Willis, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Bristol, described Jim’s support throughout her career and gave a talk entitled, Juxta-positioning In Molecules, which spelled out ‘Jim’!
Alison Hill and Ian Paterson
Alison Hill and Ian Paterson
When asked why she helped organise the symposium, Alison Hill, who came from Australia to do her PhD with Jim in the early 90s and is now the Associate Professor Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, responded: “Where do I start? I came halfway around the world to do my PhD with Jim after learning about his research, but beyond that I became part of the family. He was a lifelong friend and mentor.”
Perhaps one of the speakers who knew Jim best was Professor Andy Holmes, who worked with Jim here in the department for 31 years. “Jim was a marvellous colleague and he and Ted McDonald [who also spoke] were very kind in showing me the ropes,” said Andy. “I regarded Jim as a role model.”
Gender champion
Jim’s support for women scientists was also emphasised. Professor Mary Garson, who completed her PhD with Jim in 1977 said: “Jim was a gender champion before such roles were ever understood, let alone invented.” Mary is Professor Emerita of the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Queensland and was recently appointed Vice President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). “I wouldn’t be where I am now if it hadn’t been for the start he gave me,” she said.
“Jim supported gender equality before it was a thing,” agreed Helen Hailes. “He treated everyone the same and was supportive and proud when they excelled.”
Prof Emerita Mary Garson.
Prof Emerita Mary Garson.
Above all a friend
Other speakers included Professor Finian Leeper, University of Cambridge; Dr Richard Lloyd, GlaxoSmithKline; Professor Ulf Hanefeld, TU Delft; Professor Rebecca Goss, University of St Andrews; Professor Norberto Lopes, University of São Paulo.
Professor Ted McDonald, who worked with Jim from 1969 – 1979, Professor Andy Holmes and Professor Craig Townsend, Johns Hopkins University all talked about memories of Jim and his friendship and creativity.
The day concluded with a drinks reception in the Todd Hamied room, followed by dinner at St John’s, Jim’s former college.
Ian Fleming and John Murphy.
Ian Fleming and John Murphy.
Andy Holmes perhaps summarised the day best when he said: “We miss him as an esteemed colleague, a valued mentor and above all a friend.”
The organisers write: “We are grateful to the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry for hosting the event, and sponsorship from UCB Biopharma, Astex Pharmaceuticals and Isomerase Therapeutics.”
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