Prof. Peter Harper Receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Genetics From March of Dimes

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., MARCH 18, 2005 – Peter Harper, a long time Professor of Medical Genetics at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, today received the 2005 March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award for lifetime achievement in the field of genetic sciences.

The award was presented to Professor Harper at the Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting of the American College of Medical Genetics in Grapevine (Dallas), Texas. Michael Katz, M.D., Senior Vice President for Research and Global Programs of the March of Dimes, presided over the ceremony.

Professor Harper recently retired from Cardiff University's Institute of Medical Genetics (School of Medicine, Wales College of Medicine), as well as from his posts as Consultant Clinical Geneticist and Physician at the University Hospital of Wales.  He has worked extensively in the practice and development of genetic counseling and is the author of the popular book Practical Genetic Counseling.  More recently, he has been involved with the social and ethical aspects of medical genetic development, co-authoring the book Genetics, Society and Clinical Genetics.

Professor Harper, the first European recipient of the prestigious award, is a member of the United Kingdom's Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing and has helped to develop public policy related to medical genetics in that country and internationally. He has a long-standing research interest in inherited neurological disorders, especially Huntington disease and myotonic dystrophy.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award,'' Professor Harper said. “Previous winners have included America's leading genetic scientists, so it is particularly gratifying that our work in Cardiff has been recognized in this way.''
Established in 1986, the March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award is given annually to an individual whose lifetime body of research and education had made a significant contribution to the genetic sciences.