John Skehel facts for kids

Sir John James Skehel, born on February 27, 1941, is a famous British scientist. He is a virologist, which means he studies viruses. He works as an emeritus scientist at the Francis Crick Institute in London. For many years, from 1987 to 2006, he was the director of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). This important institute later became part of the Francis Crick Institute.

Early Life and Learning

John Skehel was born in Blackburn, England, in 1941. He went to school at St. Mary's College in Blackburn. After that, he studied at the University of Aberystwyth. Here, he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in agricultural biochemistry. This field combines farming and the study of living things.

He continued his studies at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). In 1966, he earned his PhD degree in biochemistry. His research focused on how certain charged particles, called cations, move in yeast. His supervisor for this work was Alan Eddy.

Career and Research

After finishing his PhD, John Skehel worked as a researcher at the University of Aberdeen. He also did research at Duke University in the United States.

In 1969, he came back to Britain. He started working at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). His main focus there was studying the influenza virus, which causes the flu. In 1984, he became the head of the virology division. This meant he led the team studying viruses.

Just three years later, in 1987, he was promoted to director of the entire Institute. He also led the World Health Organization (WHO)'s special center for influenza research from 1975 to 1993.

Awards and Special Recognition

Sir John Skehel has received many important awards for his work. In 1984, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.

Some of his awards include:

• The Wilhelm Feldberg Prize in 1986.
• The Robert Koch Prize in 1987.
• The Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine in 1988.
• The ICN International Prize in Virology in 1992.
• The Royal Medal in 2003 for his amazing work in virology.
• The Grand Prix scientifique de la Fondation Louis D. in 2007. He shared this prize with another virologist, Ab Osterhaus.

In 1997, he was made a knight by the Queen. This means he can use the title "Sir" before his name. In 1998, he became a founding Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. From 2013, he served as Vice-President of the Royal Society. He has also received honorary degrees from several universities. In 2020, he was elected to the American Philosophical Society.

Personal Life

John Skehel married Anita Varley in 1962, soon after he graduated. They have two sons together.