Professor Edward (Ted) Cocking FRS (26 Sep 1931 - 14 Jul 2023)

It is with great sadness that I read about the passing of Professor Ted Cocking. Ted was the Head of the Plant Genetic Manipulation Group during my time at Nottingham University between 1991-1998, initially as a PhD student and then as a post-doctorate. Ted was a great inspiration to everyone and quite a character. His involvement with the Royal Society allowed many team members to visit far-out places such as Singapore to present our research. He made such dreams a reality. Ted is a global name in plant science and the most decorated I have known. His words of wisdom "Sometimes the simple things work" inspired me to generate the first genetically engineered radish published in 2001 at POSTECH, South Korea. His name is always mentioned during our annual SIVB meetings in the USA. RIP Ted, it has been a great privilege to have met you.

Ted helped people in many ways. For myself he gave guidance at an early career stage, and also helped with facilities. He will be much missed. Always enjoyed seeing his 'last century' labcoat.

Dear Bernadette & the family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the demise of our respected teacher, supervisor & mentor, Professor Edward Cocking FRS. He was truly a gentleman & very kind person. Prof Ted was my & my late wife Stephanie’s PhD supervisor & a lifelong mentor. I still vividly remember our meal together at a French restaurant in Nottingham on 14 June 2016
Take care
RIP, OM Shanti🙏🙏🙏
Amar Kumar:
29/07/2023

I was in Professor Cocking's lab at Nottingham from 1989 to 1996 as a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow and later as Rockefeller Biotechnology Career awardee for two terms. I learnt a lot from Prof. Cocking in terms of conducting research and also the research administrations. Whenever I met him in a formal meetings, he always had something exciting to share with me and his attention towards you is such great that you may think that you are his whole concern. I fell sick while in Nottingham on none of the occasions and he visited me in the hospital and took every detail you can think of and later he called my wife to console her. He was a generous person, always positive, never can you find him inactive or rumbling. So many Indians worked with him and perhaps he had extra affection for Indians. May his pure soul rest in peace. I pay my highest regards to him.

Condolences to Mrs Bernadette Cocking and the whole Cocking family. As a PhD student and post doc in Prof Ted’s lab at Nottingham, in the early 1980’s, I can say it was a truly transformative experience. Not only was the scientific research ongoing there at the forefront of the (then) nascent field of plant biotechnology, the lab was a busy international environment with researchers from around the globe. Many went on from the Cocking lab to become influential scientists, administrators and teachers at leading Universities and Institutions around the world.

In addition to his scientific achievements, Prof Ted also was also of course a fundamentally decent, generous and helpful person. A true gentleman indeed.

Slán agus beannacht a chara an tOllamh Ted. R.I.P.

Ted provided a great role model for many young, up and coming botanists at the time when molecular biology was beginning to emerge. I particularly remember the enthusiasm he displayed at our weekly ‘Monday Morning Meetings’ when after a weekend partying a dozen or so Ph.D. students had to wake up and talk about their work and, importantly, put forward requests for lab consumables.

I could thank Ted for providing a Ph.D. opportunity for me to work on an exciting collaboration with teams internationally unravelling the mysteries of how Agrobacterium transferred DNA into the plant genome.....however I am most grateful for him taking an interest in an undiagnosed dyslexic 3rd year student by buying me a selection of pens to try and improve my writing and ensure I passed me finals.

All in all Ted was not only the epitome of a true academic but a really generous and genuine mentor whom I will never forget.

I have delightful memories of Ted's visits to my lab when I was working at the University of Zurich. His knowledge and great sense of humour were always very welcome. I recall the twinkle in his eyes when he mentioned "naked protoplasts". He was a wonderful character and a first class scientist. The messages here are also indicative of his support for and kindness to others.

I was finishing my doctoral work at Rutgers University when I had an opportunity to meet Professor Ted Cocking in a symposium at the Ohio State University. He had already established a formidable reputation in the area of protoplast culture and somatic cell genetics. I asked him if there was any possibility of doing postdoctoral work in his laboratory. To my surprise he offered me a place in his laboratory. Although there were opportunities in some US labs, I chose to work with him at the University of Nottingham. This was one good decision I made. Prof as we used to address him was an exceptionally talented and decent personality. His lab attracted students from all over the world. Everyone was treated well, in fact he was at times more generous to visiting scientists. I met and made friends with some very bright British students who have done very well in their careers in the UK. Thanks Prof for your generosity and helping us to do some scientific work later after an opportunity in your lab. A dedicated family man, a gentle mentor who found excitement in scientific work,forgiving by temprament - certainly it was a privilege to work with him and know him.

A true gentleman, who will be greatly missed by us all, and is forever in our hearts.
All our love
Helen & Sam

I got introduced to Ted during my time at Azotic Tech. Ltd. I am thankful and privileged about the opportunity to work with him on his pioneering projects in the area of Nitrogen fixation by bacterium (non-legumes)/Biofertilizers which has already resulted in the commercialisation of the product, apply for patents and potential future publications.

Ted had a great passion and vision along with amazing determination and belief which has kept a mark on a lot of us. He will be greatly missed. I pass my deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

I was sad to learn the news that Ted had passed away. I met Ted in 2016 when he came to use the Transmission Electron Microscope at the Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nmRC) at the University of Nottingham. I remember him being very knowledgeable with a passion for his research. He used to contact me directly (rather than going through the online portal) which was nice as I got to know him better, including how he had the first scanning electron microscope at the University! Ted was also helpful in discussing new state-of-the-art electron detectors, and could put into context how these might create breakthroughs in his area of science. He kindly helped provide a letter of support to secure funding for our new electron detectors, which were eventually funded via the EPSRC (£1.5M). Ted built some wonderful foundations at the University, the nmRC alone now has ten scanning electron microscopes!, as well as being a leader in his own area of science. He will be greatly missed, and I pass my condolences on to his family and friends at this difficult time.

I was fortunate to be associated with Ted for a short stint b/w Srp-Dec 97 . I wondered about his passion and Administration. He was calm and encouraged good research. Really shocked to hear his loss. My heartfelt condolences to the beareauved family

Very great sad news! This is irreparable loss for all of us! Though, physically Prof. Edward Cocking will not be us but his his teachings and monumental research achievements will always guide the coming generations. May the Almighty protect the divine departed soul forever!

I send my deep condolences on the sad demise of Prof.Edward Cocking, an outstanding biologist, global teacher and a great humanitarian. May his soul rest in peace.I had the privilege of working in his lab in 1987.