Stephen Mills

Funding a microscope to support research

After an adventurous globetrotting career as a field geologist, Stephen Mills (Geology, St Cuthbert’s Society, 1961-64), left a substantial gift in his will to the Department of Earth Sciences.  Part of this gift was set aside to purchase a Leica binocular microscope, which greatly aided academic research within the department.

Dr Martin Smith, Assistant Professor in Palaeontology, is just one of several members of staff whose work benefitted from this generous legacy gift.  For Dr Smith, who researches the origins of the modern animal groups, including the study of the microscopic Small Carbonaceous Fossils, the Leica microscope is indispensable for imaging fossil specimens and in the extraction of micro fossils.

This generous gift has allowed academics such as Dr Smith to progress their research, leading to world class discoveries.  Since benefitting from this generous gift, Dr Smith has gone on to lead the team who discovered the groundbreaking ‘Youti yuanshi’ fossil. This incredibly detailed micro fossil helps bridge a gap in arthropod evolution between simple worm-like ancestors and modern-day insects.

Above: The "Youti yuanshi" fossil.

Below: Dr Martin Smith.