"An amazing human being"—In memoriam: Professor Amit Patel

Professor Amit Patel

The Imperial College London community was extremely saddened to learn of the recent death of Professor Amit Patel.

Professor Amit Patel was a graduate in Medicine from Imperial College London, where he also completed his PhD in Clinical Science and Molecular Genetics at what is now the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS).

He completed National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Academy of Medical Sciences funded postdoctoral research at the Institute of Cancer Research, and clinical academic training in London, mainly at the Royal Marsden and Hammersmith Hospitals. He was a Consultant Haematologist at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool.

Most recently he was Consultant in Cellular Therapies and Transplantation and MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chair at The University of Manchester. He was also the first person in the UK qualified in stem cell transplantation/cellular therapy and intensive care medicine. 

Professor Patel’s significant research contributions were nationally recognised and in 2019 he won the Royal College of Physicians NIHR Clinical Research Network Joint Research Award. During his tenure as Programme Director of Clatterbridge’s Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Unit, Professor Patel led significant improvements in patient survival outcomes to amongst the best in the UK.

Imperial tributes

“The clinical and research communities at the Department of Haematology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London and the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences were saddened to learn of the untimely death of Professor Amit Patel.

“Amit spent a good part of his clinical training in Haematology and Intensive Care Unit at Hammersmith Hospital and undertook doctoral research training as one of the first Chain-Florey Fellows at the adjacent LMS (then CSC). 

“Amit stood out as an intellectually daring clinician, researcher and teacher, highly achieving from the outset of his career in academic Haematology. His untimely death has deprived British Haematology of one of his young leaders in clinical research in the fields of stem cell transplantation and cell therapy.

"On behalf of all colleagues from the Imperial and LMS family, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his wife, children and immediate family.” — Professor Anastasios Karadimitris, Dr Abdul Shlebak, and Professor Dame Amanda Fisher.

"Amit was a fantastic example of a clinical academic in everything - not least haematology and ITU. As a clinician and scientist at Hammersmith he enriched the lives of all those who met him." — Professor Shiranee Sriskandan

“Amit was a true educator, using every opportunity to teach all those around him – his willingness to step forward and help, and to challenge conventional thinking was noted by his peers and students alike.

"He was inspiring, ensuring learning and creativity never stopped, and set a standard that we will always work hard to meet. We need more people like Amit. He was a dear friend and I will miss him greatly.” — Professor Amir Sam

A memorial board has been set up by family and colleagues to celebrate Professor Patel’s life and achievements.