Professor Patrick G. Johnston (1958–2017) was born and grew up in Derry/Londonderry and became professor of oncology (the study of cancer) at Queen's University, Belfast. He was a world-leading pioneer for cancer research and modernised cancer services across Northern Ireland. He supported and mentored cancer researchers and scientists throughout his life. He had a profound impact on the lives of many people in Northern Ireland and across the world. In 2020 the cancer research centre at Queens University was renamed the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research in his memory. The centre is one of the world’s leading cancer research centres. It has conducted leading-edge research, made new discoveries and identified new treatments for cancer, improving life-chances for people of Northern Ireland and across the world.