Professor David Stephens, 1971-2024

In the autumn of 2024, Bristol Biochemistry and the cell biology community lost one of its most respected members with the passing of Professor David Stephens. A distinguished scientist, dedicated mentor, and advocate for open science, David was admired for his exceptional intellect, professional integrity, and deep generosity. His pragmatic approach, natural authority, and infectious sense of humour made him both a valued colleague and a cherished friend. He is deeply missed.

David began his academic journey with a first-class degree in Biochemistry from Royal Holloway, University of London. He went on to undertake a PhD at St George’s, University of London, investigating amyloid trafficking in Alzheimer’s disease. His PhD supervisor, Professor Brian Austen, remembered David as “a superb experimentalist” with an “infectious enthusiasm and stream of ideas.”

Drawn to protein and membrane trafficking, David joined the School of Biochemistry at the University of Bristol in 1996 as a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor George Banting. During this time, he made significant contributions to several influential studies and quickly became known for his scientific insight and boundless energy—along with a well-documented passion for football, cricket, and good beer.

Eager to develop his expertise in live-cell imaging, David was awarded an EMBO Long-Term Fellowship to work with Dr Rainer Pepperkok at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg. There, he trained in cutting-edge microscopy and honed the skills that would define his later career as a leader in imaging-based cell biology, culminating in a Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Scientific Achievement Award in 2024.

David returned to Bristol to establish his own research group, supported initially by an MRC Non-Clinical Career Development Fellowship. With additional fellowships and sustained grant support, David built a world class programme of research into the mechanisms of intracellular trafficking and secretion. His group made important advances in understanding the roles of coats and motors in protein trafficking, the secretion of large macromolecules such as collagen, and the molecular regulation of primary cilia assembly. His work was characterised by precision, innovation, and a strong collaborative ethos, often involving academic and clinical researchers across disciplines and borders.

David’s achievements were recognised early. He was promoted to Professor at the age of 39 and was deeply valued by the wider scientific community, serving on editorial boards, advisory groups, and research funding panels. At the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), his outstanding contributions as a funding committee Chair led to his appointment to BBSRC Council, where his insight, wisdom, and fairness were greatly valued.

As a mentor, David empowered others with trust, clarity, and consistent support. He was particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers and those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, drawing from his own experience as someone who never forgot being a “kid from a comp”. Beyond his own lab, he was a trusted mentor and leader within the School of Biochemistry and across the broader UK biosciences landscape. Colleagues across the world remember David as a rigorous and imaginative scientist, widely respected for his fairness, depth of knowledge, and collegiality. He had a rare ability to lead by example—meticulous, principled, and dedicated to doing things “the right way”, a standard he held himself to with unwavering commitment. He was also passionate advocate for open science, believing that scientific knowledge and resources should be freely shared to accelerate discovery and benefit all. He consistently practised this philosophy—generously offering advice, reagents, and time to colleagues at every career stage, without condition or hesitation. His empathy, loyalty, and authenticity made him a treasured mentor, colleague, and friend.

In early 2022, David was diagnosed with stage IV bowel cancer. He faced his illness with characteristic stoicism, resilience, and grace, continuing to engage fully with life, science, and those around him. Until the very end, he remained the David that we all knew, loved, and admired.

David is survived by his wife, Caroline, and their sons, Isaac and Oscar. His legacy endures in the countless lives he touched—as a scientist, mentor, advocate, and friend. 

Please note that this obituary is a modified version of the obituary shared by the Journal of Cell Science, with their permission.