Talk:Cedric Hassall

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I was very glad to see the page for Prof. Cedric Hassall. Many thanks. Because i am no idea how to contribute, I would like to put some more information here for editor to use.

Who’s Who, 2011 HASSALL, Prof. Cedric Herbert, FRS 1985; CChem. FRSC. Hon Visiting Professor, London Metropolitan University (formerly University of North London). since1999; b 6 Dec. l919; s of late H. Hassall, Auckland, NZ; m 1st, 1946. H. E. Contti (marr. diss. 1982). one d (and one s decd); 2nd, 1984, J. A. Mitchelmore. Educ: Auckland Grammar Sch., NZ. Auckland Univ. (MSc); Univ. of Cambridge (PhD. ScD), Lectr. Univ of Otago. NZ. 1943-45; Sen. studentship. Royal Commn for 1851. Cambridge. 1946-48; Foundn Prof. of Chem., Univ. of WI, 1948-56; Carnegie and Rockefeller Fellowships in USA. 1950. 1956; Head. Dept of Chemistry. Univ. CoIl., of Swansea. UCW. 1957-71; Dir of Research. Roche Products Ltd. 1971-84; Comr. Royal Univ. of Malta. 1964-71; Planning Adviser: Univ. of Jordan. 1965-71; Univ. of Aleppo. I 965; Abdul Aziz Univ., Jedda. 1966. 1968; Visiting Professor: Univ. of Kuwait. 1969, 1979, 1997; Aligarh Univ., India (Royal Soc.). 1969-70; Univ. of Liverpool, 1971-79; UCL. 1979-85; Warwick Univ., 1985-95; Hon. Visiting Professor: UC. Cardilff, 1985-92; Imperial Coll. London, 1989-97. Pres. Chem. Section of British Assoc., 1987; Member: various cttees of Royal Soc. Chem.. 1959- (Pres., Perkin Div. , 1985-87); Council, British Technol. Gp. 1986-92; various Govt. cttees relating to sci. affairs; Co-ordinator. Molecular Recognition Initiative. SERC. 1987-90; ODA Advr on science, technology and educn in lndia, China and Indonesia. l989-. Chm., Steering Cttee, Oxford Centre for Molecular Scis. 1988-92; Chm., Mother and Child Foundation, 1999-2001; Dir. IMET 2000, 2001-07. Hon. Fellow. UC of Swansea, 1986. Hon. DSc West Indies. 1975. Publications: papers on aspects of organic chemistry largely in JI of Chemical Soc. Recreation: travel. Address; 2 Chestnut Close, Westoning, Beds MK45 5LR. T: (01525) 712909. Fax: (01525) 752550). e-mail: cedric.hassaIl@btinternet.com.

Science – Page 5-6, 8 July. 1986

PROFESSOR CEDRIC H HASSALL PhD DSc FRS

Professor Hassall came to Swansea from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus (Jamaica), where at the ripe age of 28, he had been appointed the founding Professor of Chemistry on the recommendation of Lord Todd of Cambridge. Clearly Lord Todd is as able a judge of people as he is a great chemist.

At Mona he built up a well equipped Department, with high and rigorous standards in teaching and research. In addition, he forged enduring links with local industry and the school system, founding the still vigorous Association of Science Teachers. He also developed a sub-Department of Chemical Technology which matured into the Department of Chemical Engineering. His own research in Jamaica concentrated on the characterisation and chemistry of physiologically active natural products from indigenous sources. His studies on hypoglycin, from Blighia sapida, solved the long standing problem of the cause of ‘vomiting sickness’.

In 1957, Cedric Hassall was appointed to the Chair of Chemistry at Swansea and was responsible for the design and construction of the present Department. The research efforts initiated in Jamaica continued with studies on cardiac glycosides, alkaloids and the aptly named monomycin antibiotics. However, his interests expanded into the biosynthesis of fungal metabolites and of synthetic and bio-active peptides and evolved to embrace the synthesis and biosynthesis of the tetracycline antibiotics. Studies on peptides and their mimetics stemmed from his earlier work on the monamycin antibiotics, and the ideas so developed formed the background to the production of a new class of antihypertensive drugs later developed at Roche Products. His fourteen years at Swansea were amongst his most productive in terms of research output and, of his 180 papers, a hundred or so have Swansea connections. His research effort was based on teamwork and willingness to ‘buy in’ expertise if the project so demanded. At the height of his researches at Swansea, his Group contained personnel with special expertise in Microbiology, Chemistry and instrumental techniques. At Hoffmann-La Roche was seen the unique fusion of Cedric Hassall’s scientific and administrative talents as he oversaw the growth of a major research centre of over 200 scientists, served by excellent modern laboratories and employing the most modern techniques for drug design. Indeed, it was his pioneering work in the application of molecular graphics to drug design, and his significant contributions to Organic Chemistry in academia and industry that brought him the honour of becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1985.

Although a ‘dyed-in-the-wool’ organic chemist, he was sensitive to the need to foster a well rounded Department. He persuaded the College to fund a Chair of Physical Chemistry, and helped with the build-up of strong Physical and inorganic Chemistry sections of the Department of Chemistry at Swansea.

In honouring Cedric Hassall with a Fellowship of the University College of Swansea, we are acknowledging the high regard he has commanded in his many fields of endeavour. He is a true cosmopolitan in the world of chemical science, an educator and an administrator. He has been his subject’s ambassador to many Universities. His scientific merit and administrative skills have led to a DSc (Cambridge), and Honorary DSc (West indies) and Honorary and Visiting Professorships at the Universities of Aleppo, Abdul Aziz in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Liverpool, Warwick, University College London and University College Cardiff. Many national committees have benefited from his wise counsel and now, although retired, he is still very active through his professional, consulting and teaching commissions worldwide. He is currently President of the Perkin Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry. I should mention that Cedric Hassall is an Auckland born New Zealander who, during his period at Swansea, happily tolerated Welsh enthusiasm for rugby. But when the All—Blacks toured and Wales were trounced, the following Monday he would appear with a quiet smile as if to remind everyone that talent combined with energy, good training, dedication and skilled management Is a sure recipe for success. This was Cedric Hassall’s own recipe and he demonstrated Its efficacy as certainly as did his national rugby team.

Professor A Pelter PhD DSc DCC CChem FRSC

Thanking very much in advance and looking forward to response and advice.

Dr. Yiqun Wang Dept of Medicine Imperial College London Email:yiqun.wang@imperial.ac.uk Eechuin (talk) 11:34, 13 September 2012 (UTC)