David Garner (chemist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave Garner
FRSC, FRS
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|---|---|
| Born |
Christopher David Garner
9 November 1941 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biological Inorganic Chemistry |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Crystal structures of Group IV metal nitrates (1966) |
| Doctoral advisor | Clive Addison |
| Doctoral students | James Naismith |
Christopher David Garner, often called Dave Garner, is a British chemist born on 9 November 1941. He is famous for his work in a field called Biological Inorganic Chemistry. This area of science looks at how chemicals work inside living things.
He studied how special metals, called transition metals, work inside our bodies and other living things. He wrote over 400 papers about his discoveries. He was especially interested in metals like Molybdenum and Tungsten. He researched how these metals help tiny helpers called enzymes do their jobs in the body.
Besides his research, Dave Garner was also a big part of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He was a member of their council for many years. He even served as the President of the Royal Society of Chemistry from 2008 to 2010.
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Becoming a Scientist
Dave Garner went to Cheadle Hulme School when he was younger. He then studied at the University of Nottingham for his first degree. He graduated in 1963 with top honors.
He continued his studies at Nottingham. He earned his PhD in 1966. His research was about the structures of certain metal compounds. His supervisor was Clive Addison.
Dave Garner's Career Journey
After finishing his PhD, Dave Garner went to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the USA. He worked there for a year as a researcher. Then, he came back to the UK.
He became a research fellow at the University of Nottingham. In 1968, he started teaching chemistry at the University of Manchester. He moved up the ranks there. He became a senior lecturer in 1978. Then, he became a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry in 1984.
From 1988 to 1996, he was the Head of the School of Chemistry at Manchester. He also helped manage the university in other roles.
In 1998, Dave Garner moved back to the University of Nottingham. He became a Professor of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. He stayed in this role until he retired in 2010. Even after retiring, he continued to help science. From 2011 to 2017, he was an editor for a science journal called Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A.
Visiting Professor Roles
Dave Garner also traveled a lot for his work. He was a visiting professor at many universities around the world, including:
- University of Louisiana (USA) in 1977
- Texas A&M University (USA) in 1987
- Strasbourg University (France) from 1990 to 1992
- University of Florence (Italy) in 1995
- University of Arizona (USA) in 1998
- Sydney University (Australia) in 2000
He also held special fellowships at the University of Melbourne and Robinson College, Cambridge.
Starting a New Society
From 1991 to 1997, Dave Garner led a program called Chemistry of Metal Ions in Biological Systems (METBIO). This program brought scientists together to talk about metals in living things.
These discussions led to something very important. They helped create the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. Dave Garner was the first President of this society from 1996 to 1998. They also started a science journal for the society. It is called the Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Dave Garner has received many awards for his important work. Some of these include:
- Tilden Medal and Lectureship (1985)
- Fellowship of the Royal Society (1997) – This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- Joseph Chatt Lectureship (1999)
- Inorganic Biochemistry Award (2002)
- Ludwig Mond Lectureship (2007)
His work helped us understand how metals like Molybdenum and Iron work in important body processes. He used special techniques to study these tiny parts of enzymes. His research helped show how these metals are key to life.
His Work with the Royal Society of Chemistry
Dave Garner has been a very active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He became a Chartered Chemist in 1982. In the same year, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
He held several important positions within the RSC:
- President of the Dalton Division (2001–2004)
- Member of the Council (2005–Present)
- President of the RSC (2008–2010)
He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society.
About His Family
Dave Garner was born in 1941. His parents were Chrystabel and Richard Norman Garner. He is married to Pamela, whom he met at the University of Nottingham. They have two children, Joseph and Katy.
