How the CMCB came to be

The idea for the CMCB had a lengthy gestation, but then was born very suddenly one rainy day in March 2009, when we heard that it had been decided that all at the MCRI (Marie Curie Research Institute) needed a change of scene - even though the scenery is really pretty nice ...

This news quickly led, via a modest degree of initial confusion and much mature consideration, to a number of emergency sessions in Cafe Nero in Oxted (pic 1) and in Rob's office (pic 2 and 3).

It wasn't too difficult: we quickly realized that what we really wanted to do was exactly what we were already doing, but more quickly, and on a larger scale.

The problem then became, where?

Helpfully, Marie Curie were prepared to provide transitional funding. Dowries encourage suitors, and soon enough there was a small but eager band of exceptionally well-educated suitors jostling to catch us. Warwick distinguished itself by being not only handsome, but also generous, muscular and brimming with joie de vivre. And now here we are, almost exactly 6 months on, looking forward to a bright future together and eager to get back to doing some science.