Dr Peter O’Toole appointed as President of the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS)

Posted on 6 July 2023

Dr Peter O’Toole has been elected as the Society’s new President following its Annual General Meeting at mmc2023 in Manchester.

Peter, who was previously RMS Vice President, has a long and distinguished association with the Society. Among his many contributions to RMS activities, he has had extensive involvement with teaching microscopy and flow cytometry.

His research at York is currently focused on both technology and method development of novel probes and imaging modalities.

Peter said: "I have always been immensely proud to be a part of this wonderful Society, and it is a huge honour to serve as RMS President. I look forward to working alongside all our members, volunteers, and staff, as we look to continue to evolve and develop further to continue supporting the science of microscopy, imaging, analysis and flow cytometry communities."

He added: "I am fortunate to be following on from Grace Burke, who has shown great leadership and wisdom in guiding the RMS over these last few years – especially as these have been a particularly challenging period for the scientific community during the Covid pandemic. Following Grace is no easy task, but I am thankful that she will remain as a Vice-President to help support."

Grace, who is Laboratory Fellow at Idaho National Laboratory, USA, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Manchester said: "It has been a great honour to serve as RMS President and I would like to thank everyone at the Society for their incredible support over the past four years. I have truly enjoyed my time in the role, and take great pride in everything we have achieved – and continue to achieve - as an international Society (founded in 1839!) in support of all forms of microscopy and related techniques."

She added: "I am delighted to pass on the baton to Peter O’Toole, who I have come to know well as a colleague and friend. Pete is a great asset to the RMS and the wider microscopy community; the Society is undoubtedly in safe hands under his leadership."

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