IOP President Marshall Stoneham dies

The RSC notes with regret the death of the President of the Institute of Physics, Professor Marshall Stoneham.

Professor Stoneham led a highly successful career across academia, publishing and industry. He spent many years at the Atomic Energy Authority research laboratory at Harwell, becoming Director of Research then Chief Scientist of AEA Industrial Technology.

The B220 lab at Harwell was recently honoured by the RSC with a Chemical Landmark Plaque for its role in establishing the UK as the world's leading centre of atomic research.

After moving on from Harwell, Stoneham became Director of UCL's Centre for Materials Research. Alongside his industrial and academic career, he has served as Vice-President of IOP Publishing, editor-in-chief of the field-leading Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, and founded Oxford Authentication Ltd with his wife, a small business which uses techniques from physics to authenticate art ceramics.

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the Institute's immediate Past President, will act as interim President.

RSC President Professor David Phillips said today "All at the RSC are greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Professor Stoneham, whose scientific legacy is broad and profound.

"We wish Professor Stoneham's family, Dame Bell Burnell and the Institute of Physics well at this difficult time."