BBSRC executive chair pays tribute to ‘excellent research biochemist’
The director of the Babraham Institute for life sciences research has died from suspected coronavirus.
Michael Wakelam, who had been director of the Cambridgeshire-based institution (pictured) for 12 years, died from respiratory complications related to suspected Covid-19, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council announced on 2 April.
In a statement, Melanie Welham, the executive chair of the BBSRC, who knew Wakelam for more than 30 years, described him as an “excellent research biochemist who made significant contributions to understanding the role of lipids in cell signalling”.
In a statement, the institute said staff were “devastated” by the loss of a leader dedicated to training PhD students and pushing the value of fundamental research and international science. The research council said they “will be doing all we can to support the Babraham Institute through this difficult period of unexpected loss”.
A spokesperson told Research Professional News it is too early to say anything about who will be eventually taking over as director. “We continue to benefit from strong and able scientific leadership of our research programmes,” she added.
Welham said of Wakelam: “His passion for science was evident to everyone, he was generous with his time in mentoring early career researchers, fought hard for what he believed in and developed a real sense of community at the Babraham Institute.
“Throughout Michael’s 12 years as director he maintained his own research and developed the Institute’s lipidomics facility, explaining their latest discoveries enthusiastically to me each time we met,” Welham said. “I will remember Michael not only for his science, but also for his humanity, kindness and generosity of spirit and like many, will miss him.”
Wakelam is survived by his wife Jane and their two sons.