George Petersen (biochemist)

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George Petersen

ONZM
Born
George Bouet Petersen

(1933-09-05)5 September 1933
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Died11 July 2021(2021-07-11) (aged 87)
Dunedin, New Zealand
Spouse(s)
Patricia Jane Egerton Caughey
​
​
(m. 1960)​
ChildrenFour
Scientific career
FieldsBiochemistry
InstitutionsUniversity of Otago
RelativesGeorge 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[]

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 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]

On 16 April 1960, Petersen married Patricia Jane Egerton Caughey, and the couple went on to have four children.[4]

Honours and awards[]

Petersen was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1985.[7] 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.[8] In 2003, Petersen received the Rutherford Medal, the most prestigious award given by the Royal Society of New Zealand.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ "NZ Peterson Cutfield Wendy". Gene's Family Tree. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ "George Petersen death notice". Dominion Post. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  3. ^ Gibb, John (29 May 2014). "Luncheon honours professor". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Department of Biochemistry (23 July 2021). "Obituary: Emeritus Professor George Petersen". University of Otago. Retrieved 23 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: P". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  7. ^ "List of all Fellows with surnames P–R". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  8. ^ "New Year honours list 1997". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 1996. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  9. ^ "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.
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