Tributes paid to leading professor of medicine
HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a leading professor who has died following a battle with cancer.
Professor Alan Williams, who was a world leading expert in heart arrythmias, was described by his family as a “good-humoured, dignified family man”.
In 2017, he took up a role at Swansea University Medical School where he established the molecular cardiology research group to improve the clinical treatment of abnormal heart rhythms.
He had previously worked as part of a team in Cardiff University which looked at inherited disease that typically caused abnormal heart rhythms in children.
Professor Williams held one of the highest accolades awarded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the Sir Thomas Lewis Chair of Cardiovascular Science, which he held from 2007 until his retirement in September 2019.
The accolade is said to have “galvanized efforts” to understand the mechanisms through which arrhythmia was linked to disruption of calcium signals through ryanodine receptors.
Christopher George, professor of molecular cardiology at Swansea University, worked with Professor Williams for nearly two decades.
In describing his friend and colleague, he said: “Alan wore his excellence lightly. He was an unassuming soul. He never sought personal recognition for his achievements, choosing instead to let the quality of his science to speak for him.
“He was a purist and his career was defined by the relentless ‘pursuit of the mechanism’.
“His work on the ryanodine receptor will live on, but the community is poorer for his death. Although he would have deplored all the fuss being made about him, even now, it serves as a reflection of just how highly his peers thought of him.
We’ll miss him enormously”.
Professor Williams was a fervent supporter of Millwall FC and in his youth played the game at a high level.
His support for the club continued throughout his life as did his love of football and sport.
He was also a keen gardener and enjoyed walking the Welsh countryside with his wife Diane.
He is survived by his wife Diane, their son Tom, daughter Kate and two grandchildren, Eilidh Rose and William.
BHF medical director, professor Sir Nilesh Samani said, “We were very proud to have Alan as a BHF professor.
“Apart from being an excellent scientist and mentor, he was an outstanding ambassador for the British Heart Foundation, particularly during his time in Wales.
“He will be sorely missed not only by his family and friends but also all of us at the BHF and the wider UK cardiovascular research community.”