Richard Nelson Perham. 27 April 1937—14 February 2015

Abstract

Richard Nelson Perham, FRS, FMedSci, FRSA, was a British professor of structural biochemistry. He undertook his academic career at the University of Cambridge, holding positions as lecturer, reader, chair and head of the Department of Biochemistry, as well as becoming Master of St John's College. Perham published close to 300 scientific papers on protein structure and function, with a focus on mechanistic enzymology, particularly how large multienzyme complexes and flavin-containing enzymes work. He is most renowned for determining how reactive intermediates are transferred between enzyme active sites, for alterations of coenzyme and substrate specificity by his pioneering use of protein engineering and for developing protein display methodologies. Married to Nancy Lane-Perham, and with their two children, Perham enjoyed a full and active life in Cambridge and St John's College. He was a keen participator and supporter of sport and enjoyed art, literature, theatre and music. Perham was a vocal and active champion of equal opportunity in education. His legacy to science is a greater understanding of how enzymes work. His legacy to scientists is as a role model of how to attain the highest levels of achievement while maintaining a sense of personal modesty and a keen support for others.