The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Jasmine Shaw, 22, graduated from St Andrews University yesterday as ceremonies continued at the historic establishment.
University rewards Nobel Prize winner for discovery which will improve global health
A Nobel Prize winner and a former chief of the world’s foremost geographical society were honoured by St Andrews University.
Professor Satoshi Omura and Dr Rita Gardner were given honorary doctorates by Scotland’s oldest university as hundreds of students graduated.
It was his discovery of the chemical compound avermectin, leading to the eradication of debilitating parasitic diseases, which earned Prof Omura the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine in 2015.
A global expert in bioorganic chemistry, he established a link between the Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, in Japan, and the US research laboratory of pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharp and Dohme which found the benefits of avermectin and its market derivative ivermectin.
Professory Garry Taylor, master of the university’s United College and deputy principal, told graduands: “The impact of ivermectin on global health is staggering. It is envisaged that onchocerciasis (river blindness) will be eliminated globally by 2025, and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) will be eliminated by 2020.”
Until she stood down earlier this year, Dr Gardner, a CBE, led the Royal Geographical Society through a period of modernisation and expansion as its director. Professor William Austin, of the university’s school of geography and sustainable development, said: “The society is now internationally regarded as the voice of geography and, as director, Rita led a programme of strategic change and modernisation, promoting a diverse and inclusive ethos.”
Dr Gardner also served as an adviser to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and still works with the Department for Educationon the geography curriculum.