Newcastle University scientist knighted in New Year HonoursProfessor John Burn, head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University, has been knighted for services to medicine - Professor Burn helped set up Newcastle’s International Centre for Life, which was opened by the Queen in 2000. Professor Burn studied medicine at Newcastle University. Once he was a qualified doctor he obtained a first-class degree in human genetics and, in 1984, became the region’s first consultant clinical geneticist. In 1989, he became clinical director of the Northern Genetics Service. In the Nineties, he was head of the department of Human Genetics at Newcastle University for six years, before being appointed Deputy Head of the Institute of Human Genetics at the Centre of Life, later becoming Head. Last year, the Institute was graded third in quality behind Oxford and Cambridge in a national research review. Professor Burn’s research led to the discovery that taking folic acid during pregnancy could prevent spina bifida, and he has been involved in research into the prevention of hereditary cancers. Based on his long record of research, Professor Burn was last year appointed national chairman of the Clinical Genetics specialty group, at the National Institute of Health Research. On receiving his knighthood, Professor Burn said: ‘I've worked with a lot of very impressive people and I tend to get put out front and get a lot of credit for what they've done. But we've built the Centre for Life and we've got a big research institute where we've done lots of good stuff.’ He continued, ‘If anything it's an accolade for all of us, for the North East and for the region. It's not just politicians and rear admirals and footballers who get these things. It's nice to bring one home.’ Find out more about postgraduate programmes at Newcastle University. Content added on 19th January 2010. |
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