Commentary (Commemoration): In Memoriam of Professor Ernest Andrew Gould

With great sadness, we record some details in this memoriam as a tribute to the honorable Professor Ernest Andrew Gould. An esteemed figure in the field of virology, Professor Gould dedicated his entire career to the study of arboviruses and was highly regarded for his profound contributions. Professor Gould’s relevant researches not only greatly promoted the global understanding of arboviruses, but also to contributed the progresses in the field of virology in China through a series of collaborations with Chinese scientists and the training of relevant talents.

Ernest Gould, born in 1942 in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, pursued Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 and Doctor of Philosophy in 1968, both from the University of Liverpool. He undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Birmingham from 1968 to 1970.

Gould was a lecturer in virology at Queen’s University from 1970 to 1979 and a Senior Lecturer at University of London, from 1979 to 1988.

In 1988, Dr. Gould made a significant move to the Natural Environmental Research Council’s Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology (IVEM) in Oxford, England. After a distinguished career, he retired from IVEM in 2002. However, his passion for virology and research did not wane as he later joined the Unité des Virus Émergents in Marseille, France, where he continued his contributions to the field.

Professor Gould was a distinguished authority in the field of flavivirus research. Initially, his efforts were directed toward studying orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses, including influenza and measles viruses. Subsequently, his research interests pivoted to arboviruses, specifically focusing on flaviviruses such as yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and Louping ill viruses. Additionally, Professor Gould’s scope of work extended to encompass alphaviruses, bunyaviruses, and certain non-arboviruses like rabbit caliciviruses. This breadth of research became increasingly relevant with the surge in recognition of emerging viruses. His research team provided pivotal evidence that African viruses, including West Nile, Usutu, and Sindbis viruses, were introduced into the UK through migratory birds. Professor Gould’s contributions to the scientific community were multi-faceted, covering the epidemiology, pathogenesis, evolution, diagnosis, and control of various viruses.

Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Gould has served as a mentor to numerous graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Notably, in 1991, George F. Gao, who later ascended to positions such as Director-General of the China CDC and founding Editor-in-Chief of China CDC Weekly, traveled to the United Kingdom to pursue his studies at Oxford University. There, under the tutelage of Professor Gould and David H. L. Bishop at IVEM, he completed his DPhil in biochemistry in 1994.

Over the past years, Professor Gould has sustained ongoing communication and collaborative exchanges with his counterparts in China. Notably, his collaborations with Chinese scientists, including Professor Guodong Liang from the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, have cumulated in a series of notable achievements across various research areas.

In February 2023, it was with great sorrow that we learned of the passing of Professor Gould on February 14. The realm of arbovirus research mourns the loss of an international luminary with his departure. We remember Professor Gould not only as an exceptional mentor and scholar but also as a kindhearted friend. His warm, approachable, and humble demeanor made collaborating with him a deeply enriching experience. Professor Gould’s relentless academic endeavor serves as an enduring inspiration to us all.