The College regrets that it has to report the death of our Emeritus Fellow Dr Douglas Barker on Tuesday 13 September 2022.
Douglas was admitted to the Christ’s Fellowship in 1975. He was a stimulating and enormously effective teacher in the Biological Natural Sciences and was Director of Studies for several decades. Very popular among students, he was also a keen supporter of the sporting fraternity. He was President of the Rugby Club, a role in which he participated with his customary ebulllience and energy. He was also an enthusiastic Senior Member of the Marguerites’ Club
He was a very distinguished parasitologist, studying especially those blood circulating organisms prevalent in South America. Among other aspirations he believed and worked on the idea that this family of diseases was capable of being contained by vaccines and won international acclaim in this field. This approach is now bearing fruit with viable vaccines against malaria being developed.
In retirement, he and his wife Valerie moved to Scotland and enjoyed managing a large croft-holding, including sheep and other livestock. He became seriously ill in recent years so had not been able to come and see us. His last visit was for the celebration of his 80th birthday in 2013, which was held jointly with Dr Vis Navaratnam.