Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Painter – Assistant Editor for Parasitology 1972–2013

We came to the end of an era in April when Liz Painter left her role as Assistant Editor on the journal. No one, to date, has had a longer period of service with the journal. Liz's 37 years of committed and exemplary service comfortably exceeds that of George Nuttall (25 years) and David Keilin (29 years), both editors in the early days of the journal. We will miss her expertise, as will the authors whose papers have benefited from her careful editing.

Liz joined the journal in 1976 when David Crompton and Bruce Newton were editors. Thereafter as editors changed she worked for lengthy periods with Frank Cox, Phil Whitfield, Chris Arme, Robin Gasser, Les Chappell, and Stephen Phillips. Chris and Frank both guided the journal for 18 years. Les has been associated with the journal as Special Issue editor from 1987 and in 2006 onwards as a full editor.

David, Frank, Chris, Les and Stephen reflect on Liz's contribution to the journal and their time working with her:

David Crompton

Everybody who worked with Liz must have been impressed – as were we (Bruce Newton and David) – by her efficiency, attention to detail, pride in the journal and knowledge of matters biological. For me there are three enduring hallmarks of her contribution to the journal. First, the way in which she made the work easier and pleasanter for Bruce and me. And that will surely apply to other editors. Secondly, the many times she improved manuscripts though attention to style and correction of errors thereby helping authors to publish papers of higher quality; and finally, the overall contribution she made to extending and sustaining the high reputation of CUP. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with Liz. What I learnt from her stood me in good stead when I went on to edit various reports for the World Health Organization.

Frank Cox

When asked to edit Parasitology in 1975 I had been on the Editorial Board for some time and had refereed numerous manuscripts many of which were worth publishing but by authors who seemed to regard the Instructions to Authors as optional extras. I was always amazed when I saw the final version in print. It was, therefore, with some trepidation that I accepted the invitation and went to Cambridge to see David Crompton who handed me a pile of outstanding manuscripts. My worst fears were realised when I saw that many of them were a long way from being in a publishable form. It seemed that a magician was needed to transform what the Editors had accepted into the beautifully polished manuscripts that graced the pages of Parasitology. This magician was, I discovered, called Liz Painter. Remember that this was in the days of typescript and cold type so negotiating the choppy waters between manuscripts, proofs and printers was a skilful and demanding task. Liz never batted a beautiful eyelid and the Editor's job was purely one of academic judgement which is why I served the journal for 20 years.

Chris Arme

Editors come and go, each leaving their own stamps on the journal. This inevitably gives rise to changes in emphasis and approach as the journal evolves. In contrast, Liz has been a constant feature over many years. Her skills at dealing with editors, authors and reviewers and attention to detail have resulted in a journal in which the production standards have been of consistently exceptionally high quality. During my time as editor, PARASITOLOGY evolved from a format that had barely changed for over half a century to a glossy publication, embracing colour and online submission. Liz made sure that these changes were seamless in their progression. She has been an invaluable asset to the journal.

Les Chappell

Liz has without doubt made a considerable contribution to Parasitology over many years, a contribution which cannot be overstated. Not only has she been an exemplary copy editor but she has been instrumental as part of an editorial team that has instigated changes which are seen as beneficial to Parasitology. Liz explained the mysteries of copy editing to me many years past when I took over management of the Supplements, now Special Issues, of the journal and she did so with patience, understanding and good humour – I am thus indebted to her. We shall all miss her name on the journal cover and her help with all aspects of journal business.

Stephen Phillips

Liz can go into the library of any major academic institution, look at nearly four decades of Parasitology on the shelves and reflect on the fact that every volume of the journal and every paper in those volumes carries the imprint of her skills as a copy editor and that there are few authors among the hundreds who have published in those volumes who are not a little grateful for her in tweaking the prose or correcting an oversight in a figure or table.

George Nuttall, in addition to ensuring that the papers published in Parasitology were of a high standard, took on an educational role in guiding authors, especially younger scientists, as to how their papers might be improved. I have no doubt that some younger scientists benefited from Liz's guidance as was provided by George Nuttall some 50 years before.

On behalf of the hundreds of authors who have published in Parasitology , which has included myself, we thank Liz for all she has done for the journal. The highest standards were set by the journal's founder and first editor, George Nuttall, and Liz ensured these were sustained over her 37 years in post.