The death has taken place of Professor Paddy Johnston, the Vice Chancellor of Queen's University in Belfast.
Mr Johnston, aged 59, had gained an international reputation for his work in cancer research and led the reorganisation of cancer services in Northern Ireland before taking over at Queen's in 2014.
A native of Co Derry and a past pupil of Saint Columb's College, he is survived by his wife Dr Iseult Wilson and their four sons.
Staff at Queen's were informed of the sudden death in an email this afternoon.
