SAMS news room

Michael Francis Turner (28/09/1939 – 22/10/2025)

SAMS staff past and present were saddened by the death of Michael Turner, who will be remembered as a dedicated marine scientist and a proud custodian of the institute’s Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP).

Moving from the Marine Station at Millport to work at Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory (as SAMS was previously known) when it opened in1969, Michael was the first curator of the expanded algal collection. CCAP is now regarded as a globally important resource, housing more than 3,000 strains of algae, and is one of the most diverse collections of its kind in the world.

Michael originally worked under Dr Michael Droop – at the time one of the foremost researchers on the physiology of microalgae – developing a particular expertise in maintaining and transferring living microalgae.

In 1986 he became the first curator of the CCAP, growing the collection as a source of living micro-organisms, not only for research and teaching but also for commercial purposes. He continued in this role until he retired in 1998.

Former colleagues have described Michael as someone who was gentle, mild-mannered and dedicated to his craft. Prof. Paul Tett, who worked alongside Michael at SAMS, described him as a skilled scientist and avid reader, who took great interest in a variety of literature.

“When I think back, he was the type of person who expanded my horizons, so he stood out from others I worked with,” he added.

Above all, Michael’s passion was for books, mainly natural history, which he collected throughout his life. He was particularly proud of some rare editions by John Buchanan. After retiring he sold books on the internet for 20 years.

Michael’s wife Janet said: “Michael was very interested in Scottish archaeology so I accompanied him on his first dig to Udal near Sollas on North Uist. We stayed in a school and travelled to the dig on a cart pulled by a tractor along a magnificent white sandy beach with views of St Kilda on good days. We also attended yearly summer schools run by Archaeology Scotland in places such as Islay, Mull, Bettyhill and Strathpeffer. 

“Finally, I have many good memories of Michael, his kindness, support and his extraordinary resilience.”