Tributes paid to Oxford neuroscientist Professor Sir Colin Blakemore

Image source, Magdalen College

A professor at the University of Oxford has passed away.

The college said that Professor Sir ColinBlakemore died on Monday.

A professor and scientist at the university is focused on vision and the brain.

Sir Colin was known for his research on animals.

He said that he never doubted the principle of public engagement even though he was shocked by what happened to him.

It is important for science to be in the public eye because of the difficult things.

His research and communication of the importance of science earned him a knighthood.

He was described as "profoundly influential" by the head of the department.

He made a significant contribution to our understanding of vision and how the brain develops.

• Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1944
• Gained a first-class honours degree and MA in Medical Sciences at Cambridge and a PhD at Berkley
• Youngest person to give the BBC Radio 4 Reith lectures in 1976
• Youngest person to be appointed Waynflete Professor of Physiology at Oxford in 1979
• Professorial Fellowship at Magdalen 1979-2007
• Director of the McDonnell-Pew Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience 1990-1996
• Director of the Oxford Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience 1996-2003
• Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council 2003-2007
• Professor of Neuroscience at Oxford and a Supernumerary Fellow at Magdalen 2007-2012
• Professorship of Neuroscience & Philosophy at the School of Advanced Study, University of London 2012
• Made an Emeritus Fellow at Magdalen and the Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics

Andrew King said he was "spellbound" by Sir Colin's lecture.

He said that his ability to communicate science and address issues like the need to use animals in medical research made him stand out.

Sir Colin's career was not without controversy but he was always brave in his pursuit of scientific progress.

The experience of nearly being assassinated with a parcel bomb only strengthened his resolve to promote better dialogue between scientists and the public.

Prof AC Grayling, Prof Richard Dawkins, and Prof Jim Al-Khalili all paid tribute to him.

You can follow the radio station on social media. Send your stories to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk