Russell Lewis Jones

Russell Lewis Jones, highly cited plant scientist, devoted educator, and beloved mentor, died on July 1, 2025, at the age of 84. Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, Russell served the university and the global plant biology community for nearly six decades with insight, energy, and compassion.

Born on May 10, 1941 in North Wales, Russell grew up surrounded by the rolling hills and farmlands that would inspire his lifelong passion for plants. Russell pursued an academic path that placed him at the forefront of plant physiology. After earning his doctorate from University of Wales, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Plant Research Laboratory at Michigan State University, where he deepened his expertise in plant hormone signaling and began developing the collaborative style that would define his scientific career.

In 1966, during the height of the Free Speech Movement, Russell joined the UC Berkeley faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Botany. By age 30, he had already achieved tenure and was raising three young children. Over the decades, Berkeley became his academic home—a place where he would leave a lasting mark as a scientist, teacher, mentor, and leader.

Russell’s research fundamentally reshaped the understanding of how plants perceive and respond to environmental cues, particularly through the lens of hormonal and cellular signaling. He was a pioneer in applying advanced methods, including fluorescent reporter dyes, patch clamping, organelle isolation, and various microscopy and biochemical techniques, to investigate plant cell physiology. His work provided important insights into the functions of cellular structures including the tonoplast, protein storage vacuoles, lipid bodies, and the endoplasmic reticulum. His studies of the aleurone layer in barley and Arabidopsis helped elucidate the complex interactions among gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, calcium, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide in regulating seed dormancy, germination, and programmed cell death.

A prolific scholar, Russell published over 200 journal articles and book chapters and co-edited two major textbooks: The Molecular Life of Plants and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants. His work has been cited thousands of times, and his insights continue to influence the field of plant biology today.

A passionate and gifted teacher, Russell was widely respected for his engaging lectures and for the personal attention he gave to students at all levels. His care, insight, and encouragement left lasting impressions across generations of scientists. Russell’s energy, flow of ideas, and buoyant optimism attracted collaborators from around the world. At Berkeley, he served as major professor to 24 Ph.D. students and hosted dozens of postdocs and visiting scholars. A constant presence in the lab, he cultivated a collaborative and high-performing environment. He famously insisted on twice-daily teatimes—moments that encouraged reflection, camaraderie, and a sense of community. His mentees, many of whom went on to distinguished careers in academia, industry, and public service, speak of him with deep admiration and affection.

As Chair of Berkeley’s Department of Botany from 1981 to 1986, Russell guided the department through a period of transformation and growth. His leadership extended to national and international plant science. He served for more than 25 years on the editorial board of the Annual Review of Plant Biology and its predecessor Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology. As president of the American Society of Plant Physiologists (now the American Society of Plant Biologists) from 1993 to 1994, he championed young researchers and promoted interdisciplinary initiatives. He also served as Managing Editor of the journal Planta, helping shape the direction of plant science research worldwide.

Russell was a tireless advocate for international collaboration. In addition to hosting many international scholars, he organized and participated in scientific conferences and workshops on six continents, fostering global dialogue and cooperation. He took four sabbaticals at the Australian National University in Canberra, as well as sabbaticals in Nottingham, UK, and Göttingen, Germany, where he served as a senior scientist. These international experiences enriched his research and expanded his professional collaborations.

His many contributions were recognized with numerous honors. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1972 and elected a Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biologists in 2007. In 2010, he received the Berkeley Citation, the university’s highest honor for “extraordinary service.” He was also awarded honorary doctorates (Doctor Honoris Causa) from Mendel University of Agriculture in Brno, Czech Republic, and Université Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, France.

Within the University of California, Russell contributed broadly. He served on, and chaired, the most influential Academic Senate Committee, the “Budget Committee.” He especially valued his role as Director of the Education Abroad Program in Australia and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jepson Herbarium. He also served on multiple scientific advisory boards in the United States and the United Kingdom, where his insights were widely sought and respected.

Russell and his late wife, Frances, shared a deep love for both English and Welsh culture. Their home was filled with music, laughter, and the lively conversation of visitors from around the world.

Outside of the lab, Russell found joy in hiking, gardening, and exploring the natural beauty of California and Europe—especially his native Wales. He was a gourmet foodie, a connoisseur of fine wines, and an enthusiastic patron of British tea and Chinese cuisine. A gifted storyteller, he loved sharing tales from his youth and international travels. He was also an avid soccer fan who played and refereed with enthusiasm and skill.

Russell Lewis Jones will be remembered not only for his extraordinary scientific achievements, but also for his kindness, wisdom, and deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances. He is survived by their three children—Deborah, Matthew, and Kathryn—their families, his partner Else Vellinga, a brother, and a global community of colleagues, friends, and former students who mourn his loss and celebrate his remarkable life.

Written by Sheng Luan with materials from Eleanor Crump
Edits by Kris Niyogi and John Taylor