One of Britain’s best known scientists is to receive a prestigious award.
Professor Hugh Pennington, whose opinion is regularly sought in the media on health issues such as Swine Flu, is to be awarded the Lister Medal of the Society of Chemical Industry.
Professor Pennington, who was Chair of Bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, will be honoured at a lecture he is giving at the university on Friday.
The award is named after Sir Joseph Lister, the British surgeon who first introduced antisepsis - sterile conditions and infection control - into hospital routine.
The medal was first awarded to Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, in 1944.
It has since been awarded a further 14 times to eminent scientists working at the interface of chemistry and medicine.
Professor Pennington’s lecture will focus on particular E.coli 0157 outbreaks and influenza pandemics and look at how the treatment of these has been influenced by evolution and history.
Professor Russell Howe, Chair of Chemistry from the University of Aberdeen, is chair of the Scotland Section of the Society of Chemical Industry.
He said: “Professor Pennington is a renowned bacteriologist following in the footsteps of Joseph Lister, and as a media spokesperson he embodies the Society’s goals of relating the chemical sciences to industry, medicine, and the general public.
“An expert consultant to government on microbiology and food safety and a frequent public spokesperson on bacterial infection, Professor Pennington is an extremely worthy recipient of the Lister Medal.”
Professor Pennington added: “To receive and award which celebrates one of the truly great medical scientists, and whose first recipient was Sir Alexander Fleming, is a great honour.”
Professor Pennington’s lecture will be held at King’s Conference Centre on Friday, November 20 at 5.30pm and is free to attend.
