Alan was my supervisor on a microbiology project in 1990 I think. I only spent a couple of months with him but that is enough to get "the bug" so to speak. I am still working at Liverpool university and that is in no small part down to Alans mentorship at that time, and that wonderful smile - which was always there when we have met since. Very missed. But there are so many people still working today who Alan will continue to play a role in their careers and who they are.