In Memory of Jeff Cole (1942-2026)

Most of us knew Jeff Cole as a passionate champion of microbiology and biotechnology, a tireless advocate of international collaboration, and a leading authority on microbial metabolism and its regulation — what we know as microbial physiology.

For generations, Jeff was the face of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), and it would be no exaggeration to say that he shaped the Federation more than anyone else. In the late 1990s, EFB was still an umbrella organisation encompassing what were then called Working Parties, each staffed by national delegates nominated by local learned societies. Not all of these delegates shared the enthusiasm that Jeff brought to the organisation, and he keenly felt the missed opportunities whenever he encountered passionate young scientists whose energy had no clear outlet within EFB.

He therefore became a driving force behind a collective effort to reimagine EFB as a true Federation of European scientists, organised into thematic Sections. One of these was the Microbial Physiology Section, which Jeff built from the ground up as its founding chair. He had a rare gift for identifying enthusiastic and thematically diverse microbiologists and encouraging them to develop a portfolio of small, focused conferences, each devoted to a specific scientific theme.

Over the following decades, the future of EFB remained one of Jeff’s deepest concerns. He guided the Federation through a difficult period of transition with remarkable dedication and generosity, committing his full personal authority to the process and leaving no doubt that the organisation would emerge stronger. Together with the then President, Mathias Uhlén, he helped design the current structure of thematically focused Divisions. The Microbial Physiology Section subsequently found its place within the Microbial Biotechnology Division, where it has since collaborated with sister Divisions across EFB, building on Jeff’s legacy to advance microbial biotechnology across Europe and beyond.

Jeff later served as President of EFB — a well-deserved honour after contributing to the Federation in so many different capacities. His presidency proved particularly important during the COVID pandemic, when he helped guide EFB through an exceptionally challenging period, restore the European Congress of Biotechnology to the highest level of scientific quality, and strengthen cooperation with the Asian Federation of Biotechnology, an initiative of which he was especially proud. Even after completing his term as President, Jeff continued to devote himself to EFB as Treasurer and Vice-President. In these roles, he took particular care of the EFB Central Office, which he had helped to shape to a remarkable extent. Throughout this long trajectory, his personal magnetism and generosity fostered deep friendships with many colleagues across the Federation.

Jeff’s energy seemed boundless. Alongside his research and teaching on bacterial metabolism and biotechnology, and his extensive voluntary service to EFB — each of which would have constituted a full-time commitment by any ordinary measure — he served as editor and advisor for numerous society journals, including those of the Microbiology Society and FEMS, and ultimately for EFB itself. In this capacity he guided the development of New Biotechnology into a leading journal in the field. His conference workshops on “how not to get published” became legendary, and generations of scientists learned the craft of writing, editing, and reviewing under his guidance.

Throughout his career, Jeff was a dedicated mentor and supporter of students and early-career researchers. This role perhaps became even more prominent after his retirement from academia. Through his tireless support of EFB conferences spanning a wide range of biotechnology topics, new generations of researchers encountered his energy and enthusiasm, were encouraged to join EFB Divisions, and were helped to build enduring collaborative networks.

This later period also allowed many of us to come to know Sudesh, Jeff’s wife, who accompanied him to many conferences and EFB events. Sudesh was a loving and steadfast companion, and her support was undoubtedly an important factor in enabling Jeff to pursue his work for EFB with such dedication.

Jeff’s passing is deeply felt by many. On behalf of his friends and colleagues at EFB, we extend our sincere condolences to Sudesh, to his wider family, and to his many friends and collaborators within and beyond the scientific community.