I was so saddened to hear the news about Stuart and am still finding it hard to believe. I have known Stuart since I did my PhD in Manchester (in the 90s) when he was working in Frank Owen’s group that shared lab space right next to my groups in the Stopford building. As ‘young’ scientists back then, it was very obvious to me that he had an enormous passion for his work and loved ‘all things genetics!!’ and I always knew he would end up being a successful scientist. Many years later Stuart and I had offices near each other, but this time in the AV Hill building. I will remember Stuart for the conversations we had about many of the things he loved in life (such as fine dining and homemade cooking, and turning left on a plane), and sharing a post-conference dinner pint (or two), and more recently about his very fast mini. I will miss him very much and my thoughts go out to his family at this time.