The 2015 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research is awarded to Sir Paul Nurse, a geneticist and cell biologist and President of The Royal Society of London.

TORONTO, May 4, 2015 /CNW/ - "Pioneer scientist, science advocate, policy maker and caring citizen.  Sir Paul Nurse has achieved major impact through sustained excellence in research, leadership and communication over a distinguished career." 

Paul Nurse is a geneticist and cell biologist who has worked out, using yeast as a model organism, how the eukaryotic cell cycle is controlled and how cell shape and cell dimensions are determined.  His major work has been on the cyclin dependent protein kinases and how they regulate the cell cycle.  He is President of the Royal Society and Director of the Francis Crick Institute in London and has served as Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK and President of Rockefeller University (New York City) 2003-2011.  In 2001 he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and has received the Albert Lasker Award, the Gairdner Award and the Royal Society's Royal and Copley Medals.  Sir Paul was knighted in 1999 and received the Legion d'honneur in 2003.

The Francis Crick Institute is a consortium of six of the UK's most successful scientific and academic organisations, including the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, University College London, Imperial College London and King's College London.  Sir Paul, as Director and Chief Executive, is responsible for implementing its scientific vision and research strategy. 

Sir Paul is a seasoned public advocate and TV personality with frequent appearances on BBC, PBS' Charlie Rose and print media.  He encourages the next generation of scientists to explore their curiosity, which is the bedrock of discovery. 

Dr. Aubie Angel, President, Friends of CIHR, notes that "Sir Paul Nurse has the uncanny ability to explain the most complex issues in Science, Research and Health that everyone can understand".

The Friesen Prize, established in 2005 by the Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR) recognizes exceptional innovation by a visionary health leader of international stature. Sir Paul Nurse will deliver a public lecture in conjunction with the celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the Prize in Ottawa on December 7^th, 2015.  The $35,000 Friesen Prize is awarded annually.  For further information on Friends of CIHR and the Friesen International Prize, please visit: www.fcihr.ca or contact: Cristina S. Castellvi. Tel. #: [phone]. Email: [email protected]

For an informative personal sketch, please visit: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2001/nurse-bio.html

SOURCE Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research

www.fcihr.ca or contact: Cristina S. Castellvi. Tel. #: [phone]. Email: [email protected]