Professor Michael Hanna, director of the UCL Institute of Neurology, paid tribute to his colleague in a statement on the university’s website.
He said: "Geoffrey Raisman was a true pioneer of spinal cord injury science and a world leader in this area.
“He was deeply committed to translating his science to benefit patients. He leaves a lasting research legacy and a very active group continuing his work.
“We were all very proud to have him as a colleague at UCL and at the Institute of Neurology; he will be greatly missed."
Speaking about his research in 2014, Professor Raisman, who was chair of neural regeneration at the institute, said: “It is immensely gratifying to see that years of research have now led to the development of a safe technique for transplanting cells into the spinal cord.
“I believe we stand on the threshold of a historic advance and that the continuation of our work will be of major benefit to mankind.
"I believe we have now opened the door to a treatment of spinal cord injury that will get patients out of wheelchairs. Our goal now is to develop this first procedure to a point where it can be rolled out as a worldwide general approach.”
In an interview with the JC, Prof Raisman said he got his drive to succeed from growing up in a working class Jewish family. He insisted his Lithuanian family's struggle to make ends meet kept him grounded while the world praised him for his medical breakthrough.
Prof Raisman said: "My life has been worth living. I have not only been able to follow my hobby, but it has been of value to people. Who can ask for more?"
He also wrote a book about his life. The Undark Sky: A Story of Four Poor Brothers tells how his family settled in Leeds, where he later became a member of Chapeltown Road New Synagogue.
It is not yet known how the 77-year-old died.
