Dr Michael J Prior obituary
8 June 1956 鈥� 7 June 2024
Michael (Mike to his friends), the son of Jean (née Burrows) and Leslie Prior, lived in Norwich for most of his childhood. After passing the Eleven Plus, he went to Paston School. He was drawn to science, particularly Chemistry, due to an inspirational teacher who encouraged him to apply to Oxford. Michael went to Oxford in 1974 when St John’s College offered him a place to read Chemistry.
He particularly enjoyed organic Chemistry, so he chose to do his Part II Batchelor’s research project with Dr Gordon H Whitham on forming trans-cycloalkenes by the Peterson elimination using silyl chemistry. He had an aptitude for experimental chemistry and decided to continue research in the Whitham group for his D Phil, moving from organosilicon to organosulphur Peterson elimination to produce vinylic sulphones.
During his post graduate work Michael suffered a severe illness, a potentially terminal cancer. He was fortunate to be in Oxford where he received life-saving treatment and support from St John’s College and the Whitham family. Michael was determined to put this serious illness behind him; after finishing his D Phil, he moved to Nottingham and had three distinct careers and a daughter, Olivia (born 1995), a hospital pharmacist.
Mike's first job was with Boots Pharmaceuticals, initially in process development chemistry (from 1983 to 1986), then in plant management. Whilst at Boots, he took an MBA at Loughborough University Business School, with a dissertation on strategic management at Boots.
Boots had sold part of the business to Knoll Pharmaceuticals, and due to subsequent restructuring, Michael began his second career in 1998 in the Forensic Science Service, first as the Birmingham general manager, then as manager of the National DNA Database (NDNAD) from 2002, and finally as Custodian of the NDNAD from 2005.
Over the years Michael experienced side effects from the earlier cancer treatment. By 2009 the impact on his mobility and stamina became too much, and he took early retirement. Combining his management skills, scientific training and experience as a cancer patient, he developed a varied and rewarding portfolio of activities.
He was every bit as committed and professional in these roles as he had been at work, and his colleagues from this time talk of his kindness, humour and insight. He was a Research Associate at Nottingham University as a clinical research co-ordinator and a Visiting Fellow at Nottingham Trent University for the forensic science programme.
He became a stalwart of patient involvement: Patient Advisor for the NHS Cancer Programme, member of the Patient Public Involvement Senate of Health Innovation East Midlands and supporting the EMRAD imaging network, the National Rehabilitation Centre and Musters Medical Practice.
Michael was a long-standing Member of the 欧美AV, and a regular participant in the East Midlands Section activities. He joined the 欧美AV Benevolent Fund in 2011 as a volunteer, acting as a local point of contact with the Fund for 欧美AV members, and he was an active member on the Midlands Regional Steering Group.
In 2012 he became Chair of the Benevolent Fund Grants Committee, a three-year role that saw him oversee the disbursement of grants and the activities of the Fund. Michael was also a ‘ChemNet Ambassador’, promoting chemistry to schools and colleges.
The above account gives a summary of the facts of Michael’s life, but there was much more to him than this. He used to say that science had been central to his life. He was a man of principle, with strong values of integrity, determination, independence and self-reliance.
In his professional life, he believed in public service, good management practice and clear communication, and these were reflected in his key strengths of networking and seeing connections between past and present activities to bring experience and insight.
Michael will be sadly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. However, he will have an ongoing legacy at St John’s College, Oxford, in a graduate studentship in chemistry that is to be set up in his memory.
Obituary written by his friend Derek Knight.
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