John Skehel
Encyclopedia
Sir John James Skehel, FRS (born 27 February 1941) is a British virologist. He was born in Blackburn to Joseph and Annie Skehel in 1941, and was educated at St. Mary's College, Blackburn
before being accepted to the University of Aberystwyth for a BSc in agricultural biochemistry.
Soon after graduating he married Anita Varley, with whom he has two sons. He moved to study at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, completing his PhD in biochemistry in 1966 and moving to the University of Aberdeen
for research, continuing it at Duke University
.
In 1969 he returned to Britain and began work at the National Institute for Medical Research
on the influenza virus. In 1984 he was made head of the virology division, followed by a promotion in 1987 to director of the Institute. He was director of the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza from 1975 to 1993.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1984. He was awarded the Wilhelm Feldberg Prize in 1986, the Robert Koch Prize
in 1987, the Louis Jeantet Prix de Medecin in 1988, the ICN International Prize in Virology in 1992, knighted in 1996 and the Royal Medal
in 2003 for "his pioneering research into virology".
His studies and discoveries in the mechanisms by which influenza virus binds to the host cell, and in virus-cell membrane fusion have had a fundamental impact on the field.' He was made an honorary professor of Liverpool John Moores University
in 1993 and given an honorary degree in 2007. In 2004 he was also given an honorary degree from University College London
.
St. Mary's College, Blackburn
St Mary's College on Shear Brow , Blackburn, Lancashire, England was established by the Marist Fathers in 1925. It is now a modern college institute for students aged between 16 and 18...
before being accepted to the University of Aberystwyth for a BSc in agricultural biochemistry.
Soon after graduating he married Anita Varley, with whom he has two sons. He moved to study at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, completing his PhD in biochemistry in 1966 and moving to the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
for research, continuing it at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
.
In 1969 he returned to Britain and began work at the National Institute for Medical Research
National Institute for Medical Research
The National Institute for Medical Research, commonly abbreviated to NIMR, is a medical research facility situated in Mill Hill, on the outskirts of London, England. It is mainly funded by the Medical Research Council, or MRC, and is its largest establishment and the only one designated as an...
on the influenza virus. In 1984 he was made head of the virology division, followed by a promotion in 1987 to director of the Institute. He was director of the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza from 1975 to 1993.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1984. He was awarded the Wilhelm Feldberg Prize in 1986, the Robert Koch Prize
Robert Koch Prize
The Robert Koch Medal and Award are two prizes awarded annually for excellence in the biomedical sciences. These awards grew out of early attempts by Robert Koch to generate funding to support his research into the cause and cure for tuberculosis...
in 1987, the Louis Jeantet Prix de Medecin in 1988, the ICN International Prize in Virology in 1992, knighted in 1996 and the Royal Medal
Royal Medal
The Royal Medal, also known as The Queen's Medal, is a silver-gilt medal awarded each year by the Royal Society, two for "the most important contributions to the advancement of natural knowledge" and one for "distinguished contributions in the applied sciences" made within the Commonwealth of...
in 2003 for "his pioneering research into virology".
His studies and discoveries in the mechanisms by which influenza virus binds to the host cell, and in virus-cell membrane fusion have had a fundamental impact on the field.' He was made an honorary professor of Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moores University is a British 'modern' university located in the city of Liverpool, England. The university is named after John Moores and was previously called Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts and later Liverpool Polytechnic before gaining university status in 1992, thus...
in 1993 and given an honorary degree in 2007. In 2004 he was also given an honorary degree from University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
.