Dr. Webster was born and educated in England received a B.Sc. degree with Special Honors in Par in 1958 and a Ph.D. in Nematology in 1962 Imperial College of Science and Technology University of London. Dr. Webster began his career in 1961 as a Scientific Officer in the Nematology Department at Rothamsted Experimental Station. In 1966 he emigrated to Canada and after a brief term with Agriculture in Ontario he moved to the West Coast when pointed Associate Professor by Simon Fraser University in 1967. He became Professor in 1971, Chairman of Biological Sciences Department in 1974, Dean of the Faculty of Science in 1976 and Associate Vice President-Academic of the University in 1980.

        As the administrative responsibilities became heavier and more prestigious, Dr. Webster insisted on remaining a teacher and a researcher. His scientific interests, teaching, and influence cover all of Parasitology but his research is focused on host-parasite relationships of nematodes in disease complexes, on the nutritional relationships of nematodes with their plant and insect hosts, the use of nematodes as biological control agents of insects, and the host-parasite relationships of root-knot nematodes and their interactions with fungi.
        Dr. Webster's research laboratory has advanced our understanding of the physiology of mermithid nutrition, of plants infected by root-knot nematodes and the development and fine structure of giant cells. Recently his laboratory pioneered the use of DNA restriction fragments for the identification of nematode species. His research has been published in over 100 refereed publications. His scientific acumen and his insightful approach to Parasitology have inspired many students and resulted in cooperative research with several other scientists. He is an excellent teacher with a gift for reviewing and clarifying complex ideas and research developments. He has edited a book, "Economic Nematology," written 12 review articles and book chapters and is much in demand as a lecturer in Canada and abroad.

        Dr. Webster is an outstanding administrator with an international reputation. He is a member of the Science Council of Canada and has reviewed grant applications including those of the US National Science Foundation. He has had a profound influence on the many University Committees and External Review Committees he has been asked to join or chair in North America, Europe and Asia.
He has served on the editorial boards of Nematologica for 13 years and Canadian Journal of Zoology for 6 years. He is a member of 12 professional societies in Zoology, Parasitology, Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematol-ogy. He has been particularly active in the Canadian Society of Zoology and the Society of Nematologists and he was recently honored by election to the presidency of our Society.
        Dr. Webster's distinguished reputation as a Nematol-ogist is not just based on his research but also on his friendliness, his spirit of service and his organizational skills. For all his contributions to individuals, science and our Society, it is most appropriate that he be named a Fellow of the Society of Nematologists.