The Department of Physics, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences and the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies notes, with regret, the passing of Miss Mei Chi Lau.

Mei Chi joined the University and physics families as an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer science and electronics. Her lecturers remember her for her ‘quiet brilliance’ i.e. though she could have, Mei Chi was not one to boast or brag as others with her kind of academic talent so often do, but was instead content to work hard and be diligent, allowing the caliber of her work to bring her the recognition she deserved. It is hardly surprising, then, that after graduating with an honours degree Mei Chi rejoined the Department of Physics as a postgraduate student and up until the time of her passing, was doing research on An Artificial Neural Network Based Approach to GPS / GIS Integration. Her advisor, Dr. Skobla, notes that he was ‘always impressed by Mei Chi’s potential for research and her academic brilliance.’ Mei Chi was also an undergraduate laboratory demonstrator in the Department and is remembered as someone who was thorough in her duties but also intolerant of the foolish mistakes that the first years made on their lab reports.

Though Mei Chi left us one year ago to seek treatment for her illness, her return was always anticipated. It was therefore a shock to the Department to hear of her passing. We want her family to know that Mei Chi was a highly valued member of our academic community, not only because of her intellectual achievements and promise, but also because of her pleasant and calm demeanor, her friendly spirit, and her many contributions to the life of the Department. We join her family in their sorrow. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

May Mei Chi’s soul rest in peace.