Leszek Borysiewicz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz
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Borysiewicz in 2008
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| 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge | |
| In office 1 October 2010 – 1 October 2017 |
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| Chancellor | |
| Preceded by | Dame Alison Richard |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Toope |
| Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council | |
| In office 1 October 2007 – 30 September 2010 |
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| Minister | |
| Preceded by | Colin Blakemore |
| Succeeded by | Sir John Savill |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz
13 April 1951 Cardiff, Wales, UK |
| Residences | Cambridge, England |
| Alma mater | Cardiff University School of Medicine (MB BCh) Imperial College London (PhD) |
| Occupation | Immunologist and academic |
| Awards | Knight Bachelor GBE |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Cell mediated immunity to human cytomegalovirus infection (cytotoxic T cell and natural killer cell mediated lysis of human cytomegalovirus infected cells) (1986) |
| Doctoral advisor | J.G.P. Sissons Keith Peters |
Sir Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz (born April 13, 1951) is a famous British professor and scientist. He is an immunologist, which means he studies the body's immune system. From 2010 to 2017, he was the 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. This is like being the head of a very important university.
Sir Leszek also led the Medical Research Council in the UK from 2007 to 2010. This organization helps fund medical science. Later, he was the chairman of Cancer Research UK from 2016 to 2023. This is one of the world's largest charities that raises money for cancer research.
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Early Life and Education
Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz was born in Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom. His parents, Jan and Zofia, were Polish refugees. They came to Great Britain during World War II. Sir Leszek still speaks Polish very well.
He went to Cardiff High School. Then, he studied at the Cardiff University School of Medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in anatomy in 1972. After that, he got his medical degree, called an MB BCh, in 1975.
In 1986, he earned his PhD degree from Imperial College London. His research was about how the body's immune system fights a virus called cytomegalovirus. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1989. This is a special honor for doctors.
Career and Scientific Work
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz worked in academic medicine at the University of Cambridge. He was a fellow at Wolfson College, Cambridge. Later, he became a consultant at Hammersmith Hospital. He also led the Department of Medicine at the University of Wales.
He then joined Imperial College London. There, he became the Deputy Rector. This meant he helped guide the college's studies and science. In 2007, he became the head of the Medical Research Council. This group supports medical science with a large budget.
From 2016 to 2023, Sir Leszek was the chairman of Cancer Research UK. This charity helps set the direction for cancer research. Its council guides and supports the chief executive.
He has held other important roles too. He was part of the European Research Council. He also advised the UK Government on science. Currently, he is involved with the UK Health Honours Committee. He also chairs Diamond Light Source. This is a national facility that uses powerful light for scientific research.
Research on Viruses and Vaccines
Sir Leszek's research focuses on how the immune system fights viruses. He studies infectious diseases and cancers caused by viruses. He worked on vaccines. His team did Europe's first trial of a vaccine for human papillomavirus. This vaccine helps treat cervical cancer. This important research took place at Cardiff University. He has also written books about these topics.
Awards and Special Honours
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz has received many honors for his work.
- In 2001, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him. This means he received the title "Sir" for his services to medical research and education.
- In 2025, King Charles III appointed him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE). This is a very high honor.
He also became an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists in 2001. In 2002, he received the Moxon Trust Medal. He was a Governor of the Wellcome Trust. He was also a founding Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
In 2008, he received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the University of Hull and the University of Southampton. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very prestigious award for top scientists. In 2009, he received another honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Queen Mary University of London. In 2010, he received an honorary Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Sheffield. He also became a Founding Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in the same year.
In 2018, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This is the highest Polish award for foreigners. He received it for his services to Poland. In 2018, he also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cambridge. In 2019, he received another Honorary Doctorate from the Jagiellonian University.
