Professor Gerald Lalor, who started as an academic in 1960, built on the rich legacy of Cedric Hassall and Leonard Haynes. His research utilised Stopped Flow techniques and he developed a thriving research school in the field of Reaction Kinetics. His other contributions were in the continued development of the Physical Chemistry section; improvement of the undergraduate laboratories, particularly the modernising of the Physical Chemistry Laboratory; and bringing greater balance to the department by stimulating Physical/Inorganic Chemistry. He also created the Cedric Hassall Scholarship Fund. After his headship ended, he was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor and later Campus Principal. In those roles he made significant contributions to the university in science and other endeavours, while continuing his research. A major contribution to the UWI was the creation of the International Centre for Environmental & Nuclear Sciences, a centre of excellence, from which he retired having served as Director General.