Institute of Developmental Sciences Director honoured in Chile

Professor Mark Hanson, Director of the Institute of Developmental Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, received honours from two universities in Santiago de Chile last week.

The University of Chile awarded Mark the Rector’s Medal, whilst the Catholic University of Chile conferred on him the title ‘Illustrious Professor’.

The awards recognise Mark’s almost 25 years’ worth of contributions to Chilean biomedical science, as well as his efforts to secure funding in both Chile and the UK from the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society. Funding was used to support collaborative research, which subsequently led to a series of high impact publications and staff and student exchanges.

Mark commented: “I was deeply moved and honoured to receive these awards, which really reflect the hard work over many years of a community of colleagues in Chile and in the UK. Chilean science has sustained a high reputation for many years, but political problems at one time led to many colleagues having to leave the country.

“I am pleased that, with many good friends in Chile, I was able to play a small part in helping to rebuild Chilean research and training in developmental physiology and medicine. Chile is an incredibly beautiful country and I have always felt extremely welcome there – despite my pathetic Spanish.”

During his recent visit, Mark met with the Chilean Minister of Health to discuss the drafting of a memorandum of understating with the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with the aim of promoting adolescent and maternal nutrition in the region.