The news of Jon Driver's sudden passing came as a complete shock this week. I spent several years at the ICN as a PhD student and had many opportunities to witness Jon's scientific brilliance. Truth be told, I can relate to Hakwan Lau's feeling of being nervous around Jon as well. I was this lowly PhD student and Jon was this brilliant, but quiet, star researcher. His reputation preceded him, and in seminars and meetings in Queen Square, I can't count the number of times I was sitting there struggling to understand what a presenter was talking about, only to hear Jon dissect the work and suggest areas for improvement, all in time for tea and biscuits. I know many other PhD students in my cohort felt this way as well, and were simply in awe of his intellectual capabilities. In the years since leaving UCL, I don't think I've ever witnessed high-speed cognition like the sort Jon displayed. He was a truly brilliant scientist, and his loss is immeasurable. His scientific ability was an inspiration to all students lucky enough to have encountered him, and the impact of his passing will be felt globally. I shall continue to use his work to teach my students about "this thing called attention". My heartfelt thoughts are with Nilli and the children at this terribly difficult time.
Jon Driver died suddenly on 28th November 2011. Jon was a wonderful individual; a loving son, husband, father and brother; and an irreplaceable friend and colleague.
This is a place for everyone who knew Jon to share our memories of him and through this to help celebrate his life.
If you would like to add a description of your memories of Jon to this blog please contact g.rees@ucl.ac.uk with the text you would like posted. We welcome any contribution, from short snippets to longer pieces. Please bear in mind this is a place to remember Jon and to help celebrate his life.
As well as this blog, there is also a photograph album to which friends and colleagues are most welcome to contribute. If you would like to add one or more pictures please email it/them to g.rees@ucl.ac.uk
