Peter Downes

Sir Charles Peter Downes
OBE FMedSci FRSE
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Dundee
Assumed office
2009
Chancellor The Lord Patel of Dunkeld
Rector Craig Murray
Brian Cox
Mark Beaumont
Preceded by Sir Alan Langlands
Personal details
Born (1953-10-15) 15 October 1953
Manchester, England
Nationality British
Alma mater University of Birmingham
Profession Biochemist
Institutions University of Birmingham University of Cambridge University of Dundee

Sir Charles Peter Downes OBE FMedSci FRSE (born 15 October 1953) is a British biochemist and the current Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee. He is the former Head of the College of Life Sciences and co-founder of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) alongside Sir Phillip Cohen.[1] Having contributed to research in the pharmaceutical industry for eleven years prior to joining Dundee, he is one of the top 15 most cited bio-scientists in the UK.[2]

Career

As a pioneering biochemist, Downes was instrumental in establishing the biological importance of the inositol glycerophospholipids and their metabolites. Among his other discoveries are the identification of the mechanism of action for the drug lithium, which has since been used in the treatment of manic depression, and the breakthrough in finding the biochemical pathway that is the most common source of mutations leading to human cancers.[3] As a result of this work, many new avenues have opened up into the discovery of new drugs and to deeper levels of understanding regarding many common diseases.[4]

In his capacity as Principal he has focused on fostering research links between academia and industry particularly in his own field of life sciences; his tenure has however seen financial challenges following Government cutbacks in funding.[5] As former Convenor of Universities Scotland, Downes has spoken out against the UK's decision to exit the European Union citing the potential adverse effect on research funding and freedom of movement for staff and students.[6] Downes was knighted in the Queen's 2015 Birthday Honours, "For services to Higher Education and Life Sciences."[7]

Honours and awards

References

  1. ↑ "Pete Downes: About". Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  2. ↑ "Universities Scotland Appointment". Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Royal Society of Biology". Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "Professor Sir Pete Downes". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  5. ↑ "Threat of cuts at Dundee". Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Scotland's universities demand a say". Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Birthday Honours 2015". Retrieved 20 October 2016.
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