Ron Laskey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron Laskey
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Prof Laskey (right) presented with the 2014 Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Prize by Chief Scientist Nic Jones
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| Born |
Ronald Alfred Laskey
26 January 1945 |
| Education | Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford (DPhil) |
| Spouse(s) |
Margaret Ann Page
(m. 1971) |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Application of cell cultures to the study of differentiation in Xenopus laevis : effects of the environment on the proliferation and behaviour of differentiating amphibian cells (1970) |
| Doctoral students | Richard Harland |
Ronald Alfred Laskey, born on January 26, 1945, is a famous British scientist. He is a cell biologist, which means he studies cells, the tiny building blocks of all living things. He is also a cancer researcher, working to understand and fight cancer.
A Scientist's Journey
Ron Laskey has had a very important career in science. He was once the Charles Darwin Professor of Embryology at the University of Cambridge. An embryologist studies how living things develop from a single cell into a complete organism.
In 1991, Professor Laskey helped start a special science center. It was first called the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research Campaign Institute. Today, it is known as the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute. This institute is a place where scientists work together to learn more about diseases like cancer.
Later, in 2001, he started another important group called the Medical Research Council Cancer Cell Unit. He was the leader of this unit until 2010. This unit also focuses on studying cancer cells to find new ways to treat the disease. Professor Laskey is also a Fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge, which is part of the University of Cambridge.
Recognized for Great Work
Professor Laskey has received many special awards for his contributions to science. In 2011, he was given the title of Commander of the British Empire (CBE). This is a high honor given by the British monarch for great achievements.
He also received the Royal Medal from the Royal Society. This award recognized his important discoveries about how DNA copies itself. DNA is like the instruction manual for our bodies. His work also helped create new ways to find cancer early.
In 2014, he received the Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Prize. This award celebrates scientists who have made a huge difference in cancer research over many years.
Here are some of the awards and honors Professor Laskey has received:
- 1984: He became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of the most important scientists in the UK.
- 1998: He won the Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine.
- 2000: He received a Tomorrow's World award for new ideas in health.
- 2001: He gave the Croonian Lecture, a very old and respected science talk.
- 2009: He received the Royal Society Royal Medal.
- 2011: He was awarded a CBE for his services to science.
- 2013: He became a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.
- 2014: He received the Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement In Cancer Research Prize.
Life Outside the Lab
Ron Laskey married Margaret Ann Page in 1971. Besides his scientific work, Professor Laskey is also a talented musician. He writes, composes, and sings funny songs, mostly about science! He is known for his humorous songs, similar to the style of Tom Lehrer.
Some of his songs have been released as albums. These include "Songs for Cynical Scientists," "More Songs for Cynical Scientists," and "Selected Songs for Cynical Scientists."
