Top award for Brighton Professor

First awarded in 1980 the Lord Cohen Medal recognises an individual who has made a considerable contribution to ageing research, either through original discoveries or in the promotion of gerontology in its broadest aspects. Past recipients include Professor Leonard Hayflick, discoverer of the ‘Hayflick limit’ to cell division, Reith lecturer Professor Tom Kirkwood CBE who proposed the evolutionary concept of disposable soma and Mrs Elizabeth Mills OBE, former director of the charity Research into Ageing and Honorary Doctor of Science of the University of Brighton.

Professor Faragher said “I am deeply honoured by this mark of esteem from my peers. But science is a collaborative project and I therefore feel this award is as much a mark of recognition of the work of my students and collaborators as it of any contribution of mine.

The Lord Cohen of Birkenhead medal

“Unsuccessful ageing is a global problem but research into the biology of ageing could improve the health of millions of older people, allowing them to continue to live independently in their own homes. It is vital that we continue to fund that research and to co-operate with our colleagues in Europe and beyond at this uncertain time.”

Professor Faragher will deliver his Lord Cohen medal lecture “Cell senescence: And after” at the 66^th Annual Meeting of the BSRA on 5 July in Durham. This will be preceded by a public engagement event “Help I’m Ageing” at which all are welcome.