We are saddened to report that Dr Kajal Mallick, Associate Professor at WMG, passed away over Christmas. He died peacefully in his sleep on 25 December 2013, aged 63.

Kajal was an internationally renowned expert in the field of materials science and technology. He joined the University of Warwick in 1985, studying his PhD in the Department of Physics. In 1988 he was appointed as a member of staff in WMG and during his 25 years within the department undertook a range of roles as a researcher, academic and lecturer. He was promoted to the position of Associate Professor in October 2009.

Most recently Kajal headed the Tissue Engineering and Ceramic Processing research group (TiECeP) which includes a large number of undergraduate, MSc, PhD and EngD students. He was also actively involved in a wide range of research projects supported by a number of funding bodies. His teaching and research areas of specialisation were very diverse. His research was focussed on synthesis, structure, processing and characterisation of materials including ceramics, glass and glass-ceramics, polymers, metals and biomedical materials. He had published over 90 refereed papers in leading peer-reviewed high impact international journals as well as a number of contributed/invited conference papers. Through his teaching and as a dedicated personal tutor and supervisor, he touched the lives of the many Warwick students that he guided and inspired over the years. One testament to this commitment was seen through the impressive collection of gifts of wine he had amassed over the years from his grateful students.

Kajal was the recipient of the prestigious IPGR (International Partners in Glass Research) Fellowship based at Connecticut, USA. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) and member of the American Ceramic Society, The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), Institute of Physics, European Ceramic Society, UK Society for Biomaterials and the European Society for Biomaterials.

Kajal had a great enthusiasm for music and film, with a particular interest in Science Fiction, and his extensive knowledge of both was always impressive to others. In his spare time, he also enjoyed the pleasures of photography, gardening and pursuing his particular talent for writing poetry. Indeed, one of Kajal’s own poems was read at his funeral service, which was held at Canley Crematorium on Wednesday 8th January 2014. Family, friends and colleagues will remember a man who was kind and considerate, with advice, support and friendly words for those who needed them.

A fitting quote from Albert Einstein was used at Kajal’s memorial service:
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
It was clear to those close to Kajal that this was his approach to life.

Kajal is survived by his wife Sally, and his daughters Jay and Sangita.