A FORMER vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton who helped fight against malaria has passed away.

Professor Julian Crampton, who was vice-chancellor for ten years, died aged 66 after a lengthy illness.

Before working in Brighton, Professor Crampton gained a BSc at the University of Sussex and then gained a doctorate at the University of Warwick.

He made his name at the University of Liverpool, where he practised molecular biology and researched tropical diseases.

The professor specialised in the treatment of malaria and venomous snake and spider bites and made headlines around the world when he used mosquitoes to carry a vaccine against malaria, known as the “flying syringe”.

Professor Crampton moved to the University of Brighton in 2005, where he became vice-chancellor.

He invested £100 million in residence halls and university buildings during his tenure there.

Professor Crampton retired in 2015 as Distinguished Emertius Professor of Molecular Biology and was awarded a CBE by the Queen for services to education.

Professor Debra Humpris, University of Brighton vice-chancellor, said: “I was not fortunate enough to have worked with Professor Crampton but I have spoken to colleagues who have told me of his vision of what this university could achieve.

“A commitment to widening participation, high quality research, and the sponsorship of developments across the University’s entire estate were all testaments to his ambitions.

“He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”