The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has paid tribute to the life of James Morden, a senior medical statistician in the Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU), who was tragically killed at the weekend.
The ICR-CTSU, and the wider organisation, are mourning the loss of James, who was hit by a car while walking in a group along a lane outside Ringmer in East Sussex on Saturday night. Another member of the party also very sadly died.
On behalf of James’s friends and colleagues, Professor Judith Bliss, Director of the ICR-CTSU, recalled how James touched everyone he met at the ICR and wider afield:
“James was a highly respected and hugely talented statistician who, despite his young age, was already making an important contribution to cancer research. He was very popular and made friends wherever he went.
“His loss will be felt throughout the UK and international clinical trials community but particularly among the UK breast cancer and head and neck cancer clinical researchers who I know greatly valued his expertise and insight.
“Our hearts go out to his parents, family and friends. We are all devastated and heartbroken but determined to continue James’s work in his memory.”
Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of the ICR, said:
“We are deeply saddened by James’s tragic death. He was a much-loved colleague and a highly talented young scientist. We are working to help support James’s friends and colleagues who were also affected in this incident. Our deepest sympathies are with James’s loved ones at this very difficult time, and with those of the other young man who was also tragically killed.
“The police are investigating the incident and it is too early to give detailed information. The ICR is a close community and we will come together to support each other after this sudden loss.”