It is with immense sadness that we report the untimely death of our colleague and friend David F. V. Lewis, Emeritus Professor, University of Surrey, who passed away on the morning of the 21st of May.
Dave, a Londoner, commenced his studies at the University of Bath where he gained an Honours BSc degree in Chemistry in 1971. He then moved to the University of Surrey where he completed his MSc studies in Spectroscopy in 1972. He subsequently pursued research studies at Surrey, under the supervision of Professor V. S. Griffiths, leading to a PhD degree in Chemistry, which he was awarded in 1982.
His first professional appointment was at the Guildford County School where he taught chemistry. While still teaching, he was invited by Professor Dennis V. Parke, then Head of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Surrey, to contribute to the research efforts by applying his knowledge and expertise in physical chemistry and computing to addressing biological issues, an invitation he accepted enthusiastically. In 1987, he joined the University of Surrey as a member of staff and rose to the position of Professor in 2003.
Dave was one of the first scientists to apply computer modeling to enzymes, in particular the cytochromes P450, to augment our then primitive understanding of how enzymes interact with chemicals as substrates, inducers and inhibitors. As the crystal structure of the various animal and human cytochrome P450 enzymes was unraveled, Dave modeled these immediately and through docking studies, he defined the structural and physicochemical characteristics necessary for a chemical to serve as substrate for a particular cytochrome P450 enzyme. These modeling studies led to the identification of key differences between human cytochrome P450 enzymes, and between human and animal cytochrome P450 enzymes. Dave was always happy to collaborate worldwide with other scientists that shared his passion for science. His pioneering work led to publication of numerous research papers; Dave was continuously sought after to write up-to-date reviews and book chapters, a task he always undertook with relish. His books ‘Cytochromes P450: Structure, Function and Mechanism (1996, Taylor and Francis)’ and ‘Guide to cytochromes P450: Structure and Function’ (2001, Taylor and Francis) proved to be very popular and enjoyed healthy sales. His prowess in research was recognized in 2003 through the award of the Doctor of Science degree by the University of Bath, his alma mater.
Unbeknown to most people, Dave had a highly developed artistic and literary streak. He was a keen musician and was very proud of his CD collection encompassing classical, pop, rock and folk music. He cowrote a rock opera, ‘Song of the New Age’, which was performed in Guildford in 1999. In 2010, he published a book of children’s stories (The lizards of Cornwall, Pomegranate Press) under the pseudonym of Reginald Fitzalamander, and only last year a book of poems (The First Five Folios of Collected Poems, Pomegranate Press).
Dave was a soft-spoken, gentle and modest individual. He was certainly not the person for large gatherings and parties, but a polymath that appreciated and enjoyed a good discussion among friends. He retired in 2010 to concentrate on his artistic endeavors; at the time of his death he was working on a new book of poems.
Dave’s loss has left a wide gap in the life of all those who knew him that will be very difficult to fill.