David Colin Sherrington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Colin Sherrington
FRS
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| Born | 5 March 1945 Litherland, Liverpool
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| Died | 4 October 2014 (aged 69) |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
| Spouse(s) | Valerie Vinnicombe |
| Awards | Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1990) Fellow of the Royal Society (2007) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Polymer chemistry |
| Institutions | University of Liverpool University of Strathclyde Unilever’s Port Sunlight laboratory |
| Doctoral advisor | Anthony Ledwith |
David Colin Sherrington (born March 5, 1945 – died October 4, 2014) was a very important scientist. He was a polymer chemist. This means he studied polymers, which are very large molecules made of many smaller units. His main work was at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.
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About David Sherrington
David Sherrington was born in Litherland, Liverpool, England, in 1945. He was a bright student. He did well in his exams and went to Waterloo Grammar School.
His Education Journey
In 1963, David started studying chemistry at the University of Liverpool. He was so good that he skipped the first year! He earned his degree with top honors in 1966.
He continued his studies at Liverpool, getting his PhD. After that, he worked as a research assistant.
Starting His Career
In 1971, David moved to Scotland. He started working at the University of Strathclyde. Here, he joined the department of pure and applied chemistry.
Before moving, David married Valerie Vinnicombe in 1972. They had met at the university tennis club.
Important Discoveries and Work
By 1975, David's research focused on polymer-supported reactions. This is a way to use polymers to help make chemical reactions happen more easily.
In 1984, he took a job at Unilever’s Port Sunlight laboratory. He led a team studying polymer science. He loved working on things that had real-world uses.
Key Research Areas
David worked on many interesting topics:
- Biodegradable polymers: These are plastics that can break down naturally in the environment. This is very helpful for reducing pollution.
- Molecular imprinting: This is like making a mold for molecules. It helps scientists find and separate specific molecules.
- PolyHIPEs: These are special porous (spongy) polymers. He used them for solid phase peptide synthesis. This is a way to build important protein-like molecules.
Returning to Strathclyde
David went back to the University of Strathclyde in 1987. He became a full professor and later led the organic chemistry section. His reputation grew worldwide. He was invited to be a visiting professor at 10 universities around the globe.
He received many important awards for his work. These included a DSc degree from his old university and being chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Societies of Edinburgh and London. Being a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) is a very high honor for a scientist.
His Impact
Scientists Randal W. Richards and Philip Hodge wrote about David. They said he had a "major and unique impact on polymer science." He brought new ideas and worked with experts from different fields.
Later Life
David Sherrington had an illness called multiple system atrophy (MSA). He passed away on October 4, 2014. He was survived by his wife, Val. She works to help people learn more about MSA.
