George Petersen (biochemist)
George Petersen | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Bouet Petersen 5 September 1933 Palmerston North, New Zealand |
| Died | 11 July 2021 (aged 87) Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Education | University of Otago (MSc) University of Oxford (MA, DPhil) |
| Spouse |
Patricia Jane Egerton Caughey
(m. 1960) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
| Institutions | University of Otago |
| Doctoral students | Diana Hill |
| Relatives | George Petersen (father) |
George Bouet Petersen ONZM (5 September 1933 – 11 July 2021) was a New Zealand biochemist.[1][2] He is regarded as the father of DNA research in New Zealand.[3]
Early life and family
[edit]Born in Palmerston North on 5 September 1933, Petersen was the son of Elizabeth Stella Osberta Petersen (née Cairns) and George Conrad Petersen.[4][5] He was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School, and went on to study at the University of Otago, graduating with a Master of Science with second-class honours in 1956.[4][6] He then undertook postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, earning Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.[4] A notable doctoral student of Petersen at the University of Otago was Diana Hill.[7]
On 16 April 1960, Petersen married Patricia Jane Egerton Caughey, and the couple went on to have four children.[4]
Honours and awards
[edit]Petersen was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1985.[8] He was also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry.[4] In the 1997 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the community.[9] In 2003, Petersen received the Rutherford Medal, the most prestigious award given by the Royal Society of New Zealand.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "NZ Peterson Cutfield Wendy". Gene's Family Tree. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "George Petersen death notice". Dominion Post. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ Gibb, John (29 May 2014). "Luncheon honours professor". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Traue, J. E., ed. (1977). Who's who in New Zealand (11th ed.). Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed. p. 219. ISBN 0-589-01113-8.
- ^ Department of Biochemistry (23 July 2021). "Obituary: Emeritus Professor George Petersen". University of Otago. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: P". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "View our current Fellows". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "List of all Fellows with surnames P–R". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "New Year honours list 1997". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 1996. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "Molecular biologist Professor Warren Tate wins New Zealand's top science and technology honour, the Rutherford Medal". Royal Society of New Zealand. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- 1933 births
- 2021 deaths
- People from Palmerston North
- New Zealand biochemists
- Academic staff of the University of Otago
- Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand
- Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- People educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School
- University of Otago alumni
- Alumni of the University of Oxford
- Fellows of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry