UNIVERSITY NOBEL PRIZES

BORN in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Peter Bullock graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1958 with a BA in geography. He gained global recognition for his work on the role played by soil in the Earth’s ecosystem and the impact of climate change on land degradation. He died in 2008 aged 70.

The University of Birmingham’s 10 undisputed Nobel Prize winners are:

Francis Aston (1877–1945). Obtained two degrees from Birmingham: a BSc in Applied/

Pure Science (1910) and a DSc in Applied/Pure Science (1914). Invented the mass spectroscope to separate isotopes of neon by taking advantage of their slight differences in mass.

Sir (Walter) Norman Haworth (1883–1950). Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham 1925–1948, also Dean of the Faculty of Science and acting VicePrincipal 1947–1948. Known for his investigations into carbohydrates and vitamin C.

Lord Robert Cecil(1864–1958). Chancellor of the University of Birmingham 1918–1944. One of the architects and greatest supporters of the League of Nations, later to become the United Nations.

Sir Peter Brian Medawar (1915–1987). Joined Birmingham in 1947 as Mason Professor of Zoology. Known for his work on tissue grafting, the basis of organ transplants and discovering acquired immunological tolerance.

Maurice Wilkins (1916–2004). Research assistant at Birmingham, he obtained a PhD in Physics in 1940. Received the Nobel Prize for his work on the discovery of the structure of DNA and its importance in transferring information in living material.

Sir John Robert Vane (1927–2004). Graduated from Birmingham in 1947 with a BSc in Chemistry. Known for his work with aspirin and related painkillers.

Sir Paul Nurse (1949–present). Graduated from Birmingham in 1970 with a BSc in Biology. Known for his work on cell cycle regulation.

Professor David Thouless (1934-present). Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Birmingham 19651978. British condensed matter physicist.

Professor Mike Kosterlitz (1942-present). Research fellow at the University of Birmingham in 1970, returned as a lecturer 1974-1982. Research in condensed matter theory, one and twodimensional physics.

Professor Sir J. Fraser Stoddart (1945-present). Haworth Chair of Chemistry and Head of the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. Research involved the development of a mechanicallyinterlocked molecule called a ‘rotaxane’.