It is with great sadness that we confirm that Professor Chris Marshall, inspirational scientist and esteemed colleague, friend and mentor, has died.
Professor Marshall was Director of Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and one of the most brilliant scientists in the ICR’s history.
He died from colorectal cancer on Saturday 8 August.
Professor Marshall was a Fellow of the Royal Society and served the ICR with extraordinary distinction as Team Leader, Professor of Cell Biology, Head of the Division of Cell Biology and Director of Research.
He was internationally renowned for his research on tumour cell signalling and especially the biology of the Ras and Rho family of small GTPase proteins and their role in cancer. His research paved the way for four new classes of cancer drugs to enter the clinic, two of which have been approved for widespread use in patient treatment today.
Professor Marshall was also a fantastic colleague and wonderful mentor to junior scientists. He will be remembered fondly not only for his scientific rigour but also for his generosity of spirit and his determination to translate our improved understanding of cancer into benefits for patients.
Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of the ICR, said: “Chris was a brilliant and incredibly rigorous scientist. His discovery of NRAS and untangling of the MAP kinase pathway has paved the way for four whole classes of cancer drug to enter the clinic, two of which – BRAF and MEK inhibitors – have now been approved for use in patients. Chris was firmly committed to the ICR and our mission, and played a major role in establishing and supporting our scientific strategy. He was a greatly valued colleague and friend, and was generous with his time, playing a vital role in developing the careers of so many excellent cancer researchers.”
Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.