My sister-in-law, Vicki Gregory, who has died of cancer aged 51, was an international expert in influenza surveillance and research.
As a stalwart of the Worldwide Influenza Centre at the Francis Crick Institute in London, Vicki was held in high regard by colleagues around the globe. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, notably during bird flu outbreaks, she collaborated with many of the laboratories of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s influenza response system.
She co-authored a number of advisory commentaries on influenza virus risks and was a key person in signing off the annually revised composition of the influenza virus vaccine for the northern hemisphere.
Vicki was born in Birmingham, to Steve Gregory, a businessman, and his wife, Sue (nee Higgins), a librarian. The family moved to Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and Vicki completed her secondary education at Longdean school in the town. As a teenager she enthusiastically embraced goth culture and developed a taste for punk music. She became a fan of the Watford band the S-Haters (some of their music can still be found on Spotify), and in particular its lead singer, Kieron O’Neill. He became her partner and in 2008 her husband.
She studied for a degree in microbiology at University College London. After that she pursued a career in public health at the Crick, where she specialised in research into global influenza viruses, initially under the leadership of the virologist Alan Hay.
The Worldwide Influenza Centre at the Crick is one of six responsible for analysing influenza viruses circulating in the human population, overseen by the WHO. She remained there until her retirement due to ill health in 2018.
As well as her interest in music, Vicki explored a range of alternatives to modern religions and was particularly interested in the old religions of northern Europe. Some of her happiest trips with Kieron were to Orkney and Iceland to visit archaeological sites. Vicki was also an enthusiastic and loyal supporter of Watford FC.
Vicki is survived by Kieron and their daughter, Tara, and by her parents.
