Wouter Kallemeijn

In 2009 Wouter joined the AMC in Amsterdam as a young PhD- candidate, where I worked as a research-analyst. My task, of helping him start his PhD-research, was short-lived. Wouter proved to be an enthousiastic, smart, organised lab-worker and a great colleague! We also shared our living-room and therefore had a lot of personal contact. When Wouter later moved to London, we stayed in thouch. During my private visits we often tried to schedule a coffee-, drink- or lunch-date together. Our last meeting was Friday, September 12, 2025 ( “Dad-Day”) at the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park. There I met a young, proud father of Charlie. Wouter spoke lovingly about his life with Johanna and Charlie and about his plans for the future. After coffee and a walk though Hyde Park I said good-bye to a warm-hearted man, not knowing it would be the last time. Wouter, thank you for being such a wonderful, beautiful person! Wilma Donker.

I joined the Tate group as a somewhat nervous student during the pandemic years; however, Wouter consistently made me feel welcome at group events, where our brief interactions were met with his big kindness. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to work with Wouter in a scientific capacity; still, I was lucky to experience his kindness and witness firsthand his invaluable discoveries, and how compassion and scientific talent can be combined into a superpower that has positively impacted the lives of his many mentees and those in his sphere. Thank you, Wouter.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear the news of Wouter's sudden passing. Wouter was a truly special person and one of the nicest scientists it has been my privilege and pleasure to work with at the Francis Crick Institute. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Wouter’s family and friends.

Wouter was my PhD buddy from the very beginning—side by side at MBIOC, sharing an office, learning and growing together as scientists, and collecting countless joyful memories, including an eventful trip to Torn. He saw things with a rare clarity, setting high standards for himself and inspiring the same in everyone around him. His bench was organized to a fault—so meticulous that I sometimes couldn’t resist. I’d turn a single tube the wrong way, and sure enough, Wouter would appear almost instantly, fingers fluttering in good-natured exasperation as he restored balance to his universe. And then there was his musical taste: woefully bad, easily on par with Marco’s—guaranteed to derail our workflow whenever he took control of the speakers. But more than being a brilliant scientist, Wouter was a steady source of support during difficult times—someone whose kindness, integrity, and quiet strength left a lasting mark. I regret not staying more closely in touch after our paths diverged in recent years. When moving back to the Netherlands earlier this year, I often imagined reaching out, reconnecting, and catching up on our lives. It pains me that we never had the chance. Wouter, your memory lives on in all of us who had the privilege to know you. Until we meet again. —MT

Dear Wouter, it's taken me a while to write this, as I still cannot believe you are gone. I have thought about you each day after I found out that you had passed. I met Wouter in 2018 when I joined Ed Tate's lab at Imperial College. My experiences are similar to all those described below - Wouter's reputation preceded him, in the best kind of way. Arriving at Imperial as chemist, I had no idea how to run a western blot. I pleaded with Ed for someone to train me, and Ed quickly recommended Wouter, who said of him "I have never seen someone be able to run so many western blots so well" followed closely by "If I could clone him, I would". While extremely technically proficient, this feature of Wouter is only scratching the surface of his personality. As others have said, Wouter was extremely kind and very patient. He also had a very quirky sense of humour. I knew Wouter when he went through some very difficult health and relational challenges. To this day, I am inspired by the way that he held himself during those times. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he would go for a run, completing 20 circuits of his local park in Putney, the length equivalent to a marathon, to sweat out his problems. He did this on a weekly basis for months, and still turned up and performed like he always did at work. My fondest memories of Wouter are when we would go to an international conference together. Wouter would often have a hot take on the research being presented, and I often sought this out, and learned greatly from it. Wouter was always gracious. One time I organised a conference, and forgot to put accurate labels on the food, and ended up (accidentally!) giving Wouter a food he was allergic to. He had to rush home immediately to get his eppi pen. The next day I apologised profusely and he immediately forgave me. As most scientists do, Wouter fought hard to compete for fellowships and that next career step. Despite facing a lot of trials in this regard, he was very happy for me when I received a fellowship to return to New Zealand, even though we both knew he deserved something like that more than me. Wouter was a friend for life, that I was looking forward to continuing to reconnect with him over the coming years. While I briefly saw him earlier this year at a conference, I regret not taking more time to connect with him. See you on the other side, the man from the original Zealand. Dan

I had the privilege to work closely with Wouter for four years throughout my PhD. He was a formidable scientist, able to carry out a truly mind-boggling amount of experiments simultaneously and to the highest standard - I will always remember the awe I felt seeing his western blot set up. More than that, he was a fantastic mentor and person, always dependable and endlessly patient, even when I couldn’t even identify a cell through the microscope. I have learnt many lessons from Wouter, and he will be sorely missed.

In memory of a brilliant and meticulous scientist. Wouter, it was a privilege to work alongside you at the Crick for three and a half years, conducting experiments and reviewing papers with a mind so sharp and principled. Wishing you peace on your journey onward. Charlie, your father loved you very much and always talked about you. He is remembered by us all deeply. We wish you all the best and you are in our thoughts.

Dear Wouter, You will remain in our hearts as a light. The light that shines a beautiful smile of a curious young man, the compassions of a soul, which shared our happiness, but felt our anxiety as well. Light is eternity, our dear friend.

Our first encounter was during your student internship at medical biochemistry. This continued during a PhD & post doc. I visited Zeeland each weekend and Holliday during my childhood and was familiar with the local dialect, which led to hilarious moments at the lab. Our shared passion for guitar oriented music (Agalloch) continued after you crossed the North Sea and we kept exchanging music discoveries. WWK - kind - talented scientist - smallest handwriting - best raspberry cake Where ever your journey takes you🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

I knew Wouter since he started at Imperial where I was working in the same lab. He had some of the highest standards for his data of anyone I have ever met, he combined this by also being a supportive and approachable mentor, teaching so many people who came through the lab. It has been a pleasure running into him outside the lab since he became a Dad, at family days in Fulham and Kew Gardens and even at the hospital on the day Charlie was born. He always spoke of Charlie and Johanna with such love and pride and it is truly heartbreaking that his time with them has been cut short. Wouter will be sorely missed by everyone at Imperisl

Wouter, You were a rockstar scientist, generous mentor, and above all kind-hearted friend. Thank you for gracing our lives with your effervescent presence. The group will never be the same without you.

I didn't know Wouter terribly well but on each occasion that I met him in Ed Tate's lab he made a very strong, positive impression. He was friendly, fun, smart and motivated. My sense was that he would go far in science. I was so terribly sorry to hear of his untimely passing and I wish only the best for his partner, son, family and friends. My sincere condolences.