It’s still difficult for me to come to terms with the news of the passing away of Dr Yuzhi Cai, even a week after I first heard the heartbreaking news. Just before the start of the new year in 2024, she had messaged me, expressing that she was feeling better. She was a wonderful colleague during our time together at the University of Plymouth, some 20 years ago. After that, I relocated to London before she started her new job  in Swansea. Despite the physical distance, we remained connected by our shared research interests, and we kept in touch over the years. Whenever we communicated, she always extended warm wishes for good health to those around her.  In all, Yuzhi’s loving and caring nature touched the lives of everyone she encountered. She will be deeply missed.