Emeritus Professor Dr. Pierre Cornelis, a tribute
11 January 2024
The Microbiology Society is saddened to hear of the death of Emeritus Professor Dr. Pierre Cornelis, who passed away in December 2023.
Pierre was Associate Editor of the Society’s journal Microbiology for eight years, as well as a member of the editorial boards of several international peer-reviewed journals.
He held positions including Professor of Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Advanced and Applied Molecular Biology, Advanced Microbial Genetics and was incredibly active throughout the microbiology and wider scientific community. During his career he gained a world-renowned reputation in the field of Pseudomonas and its siderophores.
Microbiology Society Council member Professor Kim Hardie (University of Nottingham) commented: “‘As a fellow enthusiast for the metabolism of Pseudomonas, Pierre was always interested in discussing our work in a supportive way. The cheerful smile and gentle manner that accompanied his constructive comments made him a joy to collaborate with. He will be greatly missed by us all.”
Professor Miguel Cámara (National Biofilms Innovation Centre Co-Director) said: “Pierre has been a great mentor, collaborator, and friend throughout my career. I will always remember his excitement going through lists of transcriptomic data and building metabolic pathways from them. He was a real fountain of knowledge in Pseudomonas. We enjoyed great scientific discussions and had many laughs together. He will always be remembered as a superb scientists and human being.”
Professor Steve Diggle (Georgia Institute of Technology) commented: “Pierre was a wonderful collaborator and colleague and much loved and respected in the Pseudomonas community and beyond. He was a true champion of the early career researcher, and provided me with a ton of support and guidance as I was trying to establish myself. I, along with many others, will miss him greatly but his work lives on in his publications and in the great many people that he mentored.”
Professor Jo Fothergill (University of Liverpool) said: “I first met Pierre when I was a very new PhD student. He was an intelligent and gentle man who was generous with his time and knowledge. He was warm and approachable, a rare combination in an excellent scientist. He will be missed.”
Retired Professor of Bacteriology and organiser of 16th International Conference on Pseudomonas, Craig Winstanley said: “Pierre was not only a pillar of the Pseudomonas community, publishing excellent work, particularly on siderophores, but more importantly he was such a nice man and really great company. No Pseudomonas conference was complete without a meal out with Pierre and it was clear that everybody who worked for or with him developed a strong fondness for him. He will be missed by many.”
Bacterial Communication and Anti-infectious Strategies Lab (University of Rouen Normandy, France) Director Professor Sylvie Chevalier, and Professor Olivier Lesouhaitier said: “We had the huge privilege of Pierre joining our lab in 2014 as an associate member. A charismatic, outstanding researcher and respected mentor, Pierre shared with humility and kindness his knowledge and passion for microbiology. His contributions have left an indelible mark, and will remain a source of inspiration for future generations. Pierre was wonderful, unique, and such an appreciated friend. We already miss his warm, endearing, caring personality, his simplicity, his freedom. Even though the pain is intense, we feel so lucky to have him by our side for the last 10 years.”
Emeritus Professor Iain Lamont (University of Otago) commented: “Pierre was a world leader in my own field of interest, siderophores of Pseudomonas, and made very many important advances. He was always very open to exchanging ideas and knowledge, and to discussing ongoing research in both of our laboratories. I will remember him very fondly as being excellent company and a pleasure to interact with.”
Image: Society Logo.