Jonathan Stoye is Head of the Division of Virology at the UK Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research. He works on factors that influence interactions between retroviruses and their hosts and the consequences of cross-species transmission of these agents. These interests have led to roles in the risk assessment of subjects as diverse as xenotransplantation and GM crops.
What do you think is the greatest political danger to the scientific profession?
Putting greater emphasis on strategic considerations rather than the rigour and quality of science.
Who is your favourite politician and why?
One who listens to me, but I haven't met him or her yet.
What is the best piece of advice you have received, and from whom?
“It's your career” and “The biggest fish hide deepest”, both from John Coffin of Tufts University School of Medicine.
What is your favourite book, and why?
Lord of the Rings for revealing the power of imagination.
What is your greatest fear?
That my research might be compared to the Emperor's New Clothes.
With which historical figure do you most identify?
Sir Auriel Stein. - (A tool of British imperialism who is vilified in China for looting the "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas," an act for which he was knighted. His spoils included the
Diamond Sutra, the world's oldest printed text which has a date corresponding to AD 868, along with 40,000 other scrolls).