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| Dr. Chirukandath Gopinath, 1938 – 2023 |
It was with sadness that we shared the news that Dr. Chirukandath Gopinath BVSc, PhD, MVSc, FRCPath (Gopi) passed away on 26th April 2023.
Gopi joined at HRC/Huntingdon Life Sciences/Envigo in 1977 following his early career in academia and industry in India, the UK, and the Netherlands. He became Head of the Department of Pathology in 1980. In 1984 he became Director of Pathology and, from 1996, combined that role with that of Chief Scientific Officer for the Huntingdon and Eye sites. From 2000 onwards, he moved to become a Consultant in Toxicology/Pathology.
Gopi was part of a steering committee consisting of six pathologists (including himself, Will Butler, Jega Iswaran, Bernard Rushton, Donald Rutty, and David Wright) who met at the RVC on two occasions to initiate discussions about forming a society for toxicological pathologists in the UK. This was in recognition of the fact that, although there were a number of groups within existing societies for exchange of views on slides etc., a fully represented society for the tox path discipline did not exist and the time was right to start one. Plans were formulated for the foundation of an independent new society which was named The British Society of Toxicological Pathologists (renamed as British Society of Toxicological Pathology in 2012). The six people who initiated the formation of the society became founder members.
The inaugural meeting of the BSTP was held on 4th October 1985 and was attended by 27 invited pathologists. Gopi was President of the BSTP from 1988 - 1990, and was awarded Honorary Membership in 1999 by the then President, Kevin Isaacs. Kevin initiated the Honorary membership award and Gopi and Will Butler were the first recipients. Gopi remained an active member of the Society throughout his career. He contributed to many education offerings, not only for the BSTP but for many Tox Path societies globally. He was awarded the STP Achievement Award in 2009 for his exemplary career in toxicologic pathology.
Many BSTP members have been influenced by Gopi, either directly or through his many presentations and scientific publications.
On behalf of the Society, we wish to send our sincere condolences to his family and friends – he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
BSTP council
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