Peter O’Toole becomes new Head of the RMS

The Royal Microscopical Society has welcomed Dr Peter O’Toole as its new President following its Annual General Meeting at mmc2023 in Manchester.

Peter, who is Director of the Technology Facility and heads the Imaging and Cytometry Labs at the University of York, takes over the reins from outgoing President Professor Grace Burke, who has led the Society since 2019.

Previously RMS Vice President, Peter has a long and distinguished association with the Society. Among his many contributions to RMS activities, he is perhaps best known for his extensive involvement with teaching microscopy and flow cytometry - including both the RMS Light Microscopy Summer School and the RMS Practical Flow Cytometry courses as well as being one of the pioneers of the influential Light Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Facilities Meetings that has helped these communities come together.

In his role at York, he oversees both the Imaging and Cytometry labs, featuring an array of confocal microscopes, flow cytometers and electron microscopes. Collaborating with many leading microscopy and cytometry companies, his group also provide research support and consultancy to many academics and commercial organisations.

His research 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 - 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 roleand 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.”

More information online