Tribute to Dr Matthew WILLSON

Prof. Olivier Absil, astronomer and frs-FNRS Research Associate with the STAR Institute, pays tribute to Dr. Matthew Willson, post-doctoral fellow at the PSILab in the Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography of the Faculty of Science, who died in tragic circumstances on 22 January 2022.

"It is with profound sadness that the whole PSILab team learned about the tragic passing of their colleague and friend, Matthew Willson, who was the victim of a stray gunshot wound to the head on January 16th while visiting his loved one in Atlanta. Matt was a postdoctoral researcher in the PSILab group of the STAR Institute at University of Liège since October 2019. He was making important contributions to the development of METIS, one of the first-generation instruments for the European Extremely Large Telescope, and was conducting original research in the field of planet formation.

Despite the strong limitations in social interactions over the last two years, everyone at PSILab will remember Matt as a kind, quiet, and pleasant colleague and friend, with whom we had very enjoyable discussions over lunch and coffee in the kitchen, and during social events. We will remember him for his British stiff upper lip, sense of humor, gentle nature, and passion for football. He will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues at the STAR Institute."

Dr Matthew Willson studied at the University of Exeter and was a post-doctoral fellow at Georgia State University before joining the University of Liege.