I thought I'd bring to this forums attention (for those that have not already heard) some very sad news.
Scientist and Entomologist Mike Majerus (54), Professor of Evolution at Cambridge Universities Dept Genetics, died during the night of the 26/27 January following a short but aggressive illness.
- mikeformikespage.jpg (230.83 KiB) Viewed 1185 times
Mike spent seven years repeating the studies on the predation of the peppered moth. Did we evolve through a process of natural selection, as Charles Darwin proposed? Or is the peppered moth, and therefore all life including Man, the work of a divine Creator? In 2007, Mike concluded that, while there were some failings in Bernard Kettlewell’s original experiment, the peppered moth was, after all, ‘an example of Darwinian evolution.’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content ... ture.shtml)
Following the arrival of the Harlequin Ladybird in 2004, Mike and his team were particuarly interested in monitoring the spread of this invading species and he instigated the Harlequin Ladybird Survey (http://www.harlequin-survey.org/). Mike was reguarly seen in the press/TV/radio and in public informing scientists, students and the public about the arrival of this beetle - and its impact on our own native species.
Mike was the President of the Amateur Entomological Society, a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and was awarded the Peter Scott memorial award by British Naturalist's Association in 2006.
I never knew Mike personally, but had read some of his works aswell as seeing him on TV etc - my only involvement was that I am new to the University and learned of his illness shortly after my arrival. The death of this enthusiastic and inspirational man has come as an enormous shock to his family, friends, students and colleagues. I attended his funeral this afternoon (3 Feb) along with hundreds of others keen to celebrate his life.
Inkeeping with Mikes beliefs, his body arrived at the crematorium in an environmentaly friendly wicker willow coffin, whilst Genesis (his favourite band) was played. The tributes given out by his wife, children, friends and colleagues were truely uplifting. SInce Mikes death, and after reading more about him, I found myself last week re-subscribing to the AES after too long an absence. I would have been at the annual show last year except it fell on my daughters birthday.
Donations in memory of Mike are going to the Amateur Entomological Society and can be sent to the Cambridge Funeral Service - 617 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8PA 01223 415255
Links to news about Mike:
http://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/About/News/mikespage.html
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forum ... jerus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Majerus
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news ... ?id=386718
Mikes lab research
http://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/Research/majerus.htm
Peter Scott Memorial Award
http://www.bna-naturalists.org/peter.htm
Mike Majerus and Helen Roy at Natural History Museum 2005:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life ... index.html
Mike will be very much missed by those who knew him and those that knew of his work. His love for for insects and the natural world will certainly inspire others to carry on where he left off.
Looking forward to the warmer weather and hopefully a better year for the butterflies and moths.
Mark
