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Scientists celebrate the life and legacy of Professor Guy Dodson

Posted on 14 June 2013

A memorial meeting at the University of York this weekend will celebrate the life in science of Professor Guy Dodson, FRS.

An inspirational scientist, Professor Dodson (13 January 1937 – 24 December 2012) carried out ground-breaking work in protein engineering and structures of insulin derivatives, and on the structure and mechanism of enzymes. In addition, he established world-leading research groups, first in York and then at the National Institute of Medical Research in York.

The memorial meeting, held at the National Science Learning Centre in York on 15 and 16 June, will be attended by influential scientists from around the world including a Nobel Prize winner and 12 Fellows of the Royal Society. The event will involve scientific talks by representatives of the wide range of science that Professor Dodson influenced.

Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Professor Dodson studied Chemistry in Auckland where he graduated with a PhD in crystallography in 1962. From there, he moved to Dorothy Hodgkin’s Laboratory in Oxford where he became a central figure until he moved to York’s Department of Chemistry in 1976.

At York he created a laboratory in which there is to this day a real community of scientists who work together for the common good – a wonderful legacy.

Professor Rod Hubbard

With his wife, Professor Eleanor Dodson, he created an influential protein structure research group at York, as well as establishing the York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL) as a research unit in the Department of Chemistry with Professor Rod Hubbard and Professor Keith Wilson.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1994 and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2002.

The memorial meeting has been organised by Professor Eleanor Dodson and Professor Rod Hubbard. Professor Hubbard said: “Guy combined scientific enthusiasm with an impish charm and generated enthusiasm in all those around him. He mentored a succession of post-doctoral fellows who went on to international prominence in their disciplines. A key quality was his generosity of spirit and willingness to devote his time to assist and advise others.

Notes to editors:

  • The memorial event is sponsored and supported by CCP4 – Software for Macromolecular Crystallography, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Rigaku, The Biochemical Society, GlaxoSmithKline, Molecular Dimensions, TTP Lab Tech, British Biophysical Society and the University of York’s Departments of Chemistry and Biology. For more information abut the event visit www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/research/ysbl/seminarsandevents/ggd-memorial/
  • More information about the Department of Chemistry at the University of York at www.york.ac.uk/chemistry

Contact details

Caron Lett
Press Officer

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