This week's vitals: 5 things to know about Sir Paul Nurse

Here are five things you (probably) didn't know about this week's guest speaker.

FoMD communications staff - 3 May 2016

The University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is hosting Sir Paul Nurse May 5 and 6, 2016.

There are two exciting opportunities to get a great insight from a great mind:

TRUST IN SCIENCE

Distinguished Visitor Forum:

Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry/Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology

Roundtable Format

Thursday, May 5

3:30 - 5 p.m.

ECHA L1-490

SCIENCE AND ITS ROLE IN SOCIETY

Friesen Prize Lecture - Medical Grand Rounds

Friday, May 6

8 - 9:15 am

ECHA 2-490


How much do you really know about Paul Nurse?
Here are five things you (probably) didn't know about our guest speaker:

1. He is a Nobel Prize Laureate

In 2001, Sir Paul Nurse shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with fellow researchers Leland Hartwell and Tim Hunt. By combining their studies, they figured out the crucial components that control the cell cycle. Using yeast as a model, Nurse studied how cells divide, get their shape and dimensions, with the purpose of understanding the process that leads to abnormal or uncontrolled growth like that of cancer cells.

2. He is a knight

OK, maybe you do know that by now. He was knighted in 1999 for his contributions to cancer research and the cell cycle, and he was also the recipient of the French Legion d'honneur in 2003. Great distinctions to complement his impressive roles as the former president of the Royal Society and current director of the Francis Crick Institute in London.

3. He is a Friesen Prize winner

Sir Paul Nurse is the 2015 recipient of the Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, an award established in 2005 by Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The award intends to support an annual fall lecture or series of lectures by a worthy and accomplished speaker of international stature on topics related to the advancement of health research and its evolving contributions to society.

4. He really likes motorcycles

In fact, he likes them so much that he used the money from his Nobel Prize share to buy a new, bigger Kawasaki. Who says an award-winning scientist doesn't have time for a hobby?

5. He is a household name in the United Kingdom

The name "Sir Paul Nurse" definitely rings some bells for many. He is a seasoned public advocate and TV personality who frequently makes appearances on BBC, print media and PBS' Charlie Rose. His messages encourage scientists to explore their curiosity, which leads to discovery. He also strongly advocates for the scientific community to speak up, explain to the population what they do and why it is important.