Professor Paul Verkade is a Professor of Bioimaging at the School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, UK, and an internationally recognised

leader in correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). With a career dedicated to advancing microscopy, he has played a pivotal role

in developing correlative imaging techniques, fostering international collaboration, and strengthening the global microscopy community.

A passionate advocate for microscopy education and professional development, Professor Verkade has organised and delivered numerous

specialist training courses, including six European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) practical courses on CLEM in Bristol. He has

also edited six books on correlative microscopy, contributing significantly to the dissemination of knowledge and expertise in this rapidly evolving

field.

Professor Verkade has a distinguished record of leadership and service within the international microscopy community. A long-standing

member of the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS), he has served as Chair of its Electron Microscopy Section and is a current member of

its Council. He also played an instrumental role in establishing the RMS Mentoring Scheme, launched in 2022, reflecting his commitment to

nurturing the next generation of microscopists.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Professor Verkade has been a driving force in uniting imaging communities and advocating for investment

in advanced imaging infrastructure. He has been actively involved in BioImagingUK and COMULISglobe since their inception and co-founded

EM-UKI with Pippa Hawes. In 2019, he helped establish the international volume electron microscopy (vEM) community alongside

Lucy Collinson (Francis Crick Institute), Gerard Kleijwegt, and Ardan Patwardhan

(European Molecular Biology Laboratory–European Bioinformatics Institute).

His influence extends across international microscopy organisations, where he currently serves on the councils of both

the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy (IFSM) and the European Microscopy Society (EMS).

Through his scientific leadership, dedication to education, and commitment to building collaborative imaging networks,

Professor Verkade continues to shape the development and future direction of microscopy worldwide.