In Memoriam
Nick Macri - 2023
It is with sadness that the BSTP share the news that Dr. Nicholas (Nick) Macri passed away unexpectedly on 18th October 2023.
Nick was a very experienced toxicologic pathologist with a special interest in inhalation pathology. He graduated from Cornell (DVM) and then Purdue (MS, PhD) universities, and his professional career spanned more than 25 years, including 4 years at W.L. Gore & Associates and 15 years with Huntingdon Life Science / Envigo before it became Labcorp in 2019. He was well known for his love of teaching and spoke at the BSTP 2021 Continuing Education Symposium on the Respiratory System.
Nick’s many contributions to toxicologic pathology, specifically inhalation pathology, will remain as a valuable legacy for all of us working in this field.
On behalf of the Society, we would like to send his family, friends, and colleagues our sincere condolences.
Chirukandath Gopinath - 1938 - 2023
It was with sadness that we shared the news that Dr. Chirukandath Gopinath BVSc, PhD, MVSc, FRCPath (Gopi) passed away on 26th April 2023.
Gopi joined at HRC/Huntingdon Life Sciences/Envigo in 1977 following his early career in academia and industry in India, the UK, and the Netherlands. He became Head of the Department of Pathology in 1980. In 1984 he became Director of Pathology and, from 1996, combined that role with that of Chief Scientific Officer for the Huntingdon and Eye sites. From 2000 onwards, he moved to become a Consultant in Toxicology/Pathology.
Gopi was part of a steering committee consisting of six pathologists (including himself, Will Butler, Jega Iswaran, Bernard Rushton, Donald Rutty, and David Wright) who met at the RVC on two occasions to initiate discussions about forming a society for toxicological pathologists in the UK. This was in recognition of the fact that, although there were a number of groups within existing societies for exchange of views on slides etc., a fully represented society for the tox path discipline did not exist and the time was right to start one. Plans were formulated for the foundation of an independent new society which was named The British Society of Toxicological Pathologists (renamed as British Society of Toxicological Pathology in 2012). The six people who initiated the formation of the society became founder members.
The inaugural meeting of the BSTP was held on 4th October 1985 and was attended by 27 invited pathologists. Gopi was President of the BSTP from 1988 – 1990, and was awarded Honorary Membership in 1999 by the then President, Kevin Isaacs. Kevin initiated the Honorary membership award and Gopi and Will Butler were the first recipients. Gopi remained an active member of the Society throughout his career. He contributed to many education offerings, not only for the BSTP but for many Tox Path societies globally. He was awarded the STP Achievement Award in 2009 for his exemplary career in toxicologic pathology.
Many BSTP members have been influenced by Gopi, either directly or through his many presentations and scientific publications.
On behalf of the Society, we wish to send our sincere condolences to his family and friends - he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
John Ishmael - 2022
It was with sadness that we learned of the death of John Ishmael, who was a supportive and active member of the BSTP. John was the head of pathology at Syngenta's (formerly Zeneca and ICI) Central Toxicology Laboratory in Cheshire, mentored many colleagues in the industry and was an examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists for many years.
Kevin Park - 1950 - 2022
Kevin retired as Head of the Institute of Translational Medicine in 2021 after more than 50 years at the University of Liverpool, he has been a very good friend of the BSTP and contributed alongside his group members to several BSTP events.
Mervyn Robinson - 1945 - 2021
It was with sadness that we learned of the death of Mervyn Robinson, who was a stalwart of the BSTP - from its inception, running and speaking on many CE courses. His dry sense of humour was known to many pathologists, as was his dislike of unnecessary time wasting.
Gordon Hard - 1931 - 2021
Dr. Gordon Hard, of Tairua, New Zealand, a preeminent international toxicology thought leader and international consultant in toxicologic pathology of the kidney, passed on November 22, 2021. He was a key player in shaping and developing the global field of toxicologic pathology and the role of toxicologic pathology in risk assessment of environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Frank Seeliger - 1968 - 2021
Frank was a keen scientist, always looking for novel ways to explore data to optimise deliveries in projects. He was highly appreciated by colleagues across the global business, not only for his scientific expertise, but also for his openness to share knowledge, his gentle humour and perspective on life.
