Iain Mattaj, Malcolm Skingle and Bernard Pecoul receive Honorary Degrees at this year’s University of Dundee Graduation Ceremony June 20, 2012 Three longtime associates of the College of Life Sciences will be receiving Honorary Degrees at the University of Dundee’s graduation ceremony taking place on Thursday June 21st at the Caird Hall in Dundee. The three College of Life Sciences affiliated Honorary Graduates are: Professor Iain Mattaj, Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg. Dr Malcolm Skingle, Director of Academic Liaison at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Dr Bernard Pécoul, who has led the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) since its founding in 2003. Professor Iain Mattaj is Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, one of the world’s premier institutions for basic research in molecular biology. Born and brought up in St Andrews, he retains connections with Scotland, not least with the University of Dundee where he has served on the Scientific Advisory Board for the College of Life Sciences. A world-leading researcher, his many achievements were recognised with his being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was also awarded the prestigious Science and Society Award of the Italian Chemical Society in 2010. Dr Malcolm Skingle is Director of Academic Liaison at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). He has been a passionate advocate over many years for pharmaceutical companies forming and maintaining strong collaborations with the academic sector. The fruits of this work are clearly illustrated in Dundee, where he has supported many of the projects which have helped establish the University’s reputation as an international centre of excellence in Life Sciences research. He was made a CBE for his services to academic-industrial collaborations. Dr Bernard Pécoul has led the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) since its founding in 2003. Under his guidance, DNDi – a not-for-profit research and development organization – and its partners have built the largest-ever R&D portfolio for major diseases such as leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness, and Chagas disease, as well as developing treatments for malaria. All are diseases which affect hundreds of thousands of people across the developing world every year. Professor Pete Downes, Principal of the University of Dundee, said, “Our Honorary Graduands reflect the vision and ambitions of the University itself, people who have transformed lives in the UK and around the world. “All of our Honorary Graduands are among the highest achievers, clearest thinkers and most respected voices in their fields. They are an inspiration to all our students.”
