It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Deirdre Devine. Professor of Oral Microbiology at the University of Leeds. Deirdre was a long-standing supporter of BSODR and the Oral Microbiology and Immunology Group (OMIG), her research covered a number of areas including the oral microbiome, host-pathogens interactions and antimicrobial peptides. BSODR would like to extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and collaborating researchers.
‘Deirdre started working at the Dental School in 1995 as a lecturer in Oral Microbiology building, alongside Professor Phil Marsh, the Microbiology & Cell Biology Research theme within Oral Biology. She was instrumental in developing teaching in microbiology to both undergraduates and postgraduates. During her time in Leeds Deirdre supervised 26 PGR students, published >80 papers & two books and gained funding as PI /CoI of ~ £7m. Due to her renewed work in the field Deirdre was honoured and became an Elected Member of Council of the Microbiology Society in 2019.
Deirdre undertook a range of roles within the School and Faculty related to education and postgraduate provision. She was an effective Postgraduate Tutor (2000-2003) and was a member of University QMEU teams reviewing postgraduate provision in other University Departments. Deirdre led a large team implementing changes to Dentistry clinical postgraduate programmes, dovetailing academic and clinical training needs, and introducing (2005) two new postgraduate Programmes (Integrated PhD and Professional Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry). Subsequently, Deirdre was invited to become a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Group, Learning and Teaching Partnership Agreement and the Leeds for Life Academic Group on Values, Skills and Attributes and Curriculum Enhancement Group and was co-opted onto the Faculty of Medicine & Health Learning and Teaching Committee.
Deirdre took on many leadership roles in both in the School and Faculty. She was the School of Dentistry Director of Research & Innovation from 2009-2015, leading strategy development and implementation across the School and played a key role in helping to establish the Leeds Dental Translational & Clinical Research Unit (DenTCRU). Deirdre provided significant leadership in two REF cycles. Deirdre was the University REF 2014 Lead for Unit of Assessment 3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy) and led a team to develop a complex submission that comprised staff from the Schools of Dentistry and Healthcare and from three Institutes in the School of Medicine. In 2017, Deirdre was then appointed as the Faculty of Medicine & Health Lead for REF 2021, with the responsibility of leading the Faculty and UOA teams to develop all four FMH submissions for REF2021.
Deirdre retired from the School in 2022 and moved to Cornwall to enjoy her second love, sailing. Having her boat moored down there to give them easy access to the open seas to sail around the UK. On her retirement Deirdre was made an Emeritus Professor of the University, recognising her exemplary leadership and research that she had shown during her time at Leeds and working within the field of Oral Microbiology.
Deirdre’s passing will be a shock to those who know her and know of the struggles Deirdre had with her health but she was always cheerful, kind and very supportive of her colleagues.’
