Professor Neil Vargesson from the University of Aberdeen's School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition was awarded the prestigious Lewis Wolpert Medal at a ceremony.
The medal, from the British Society of Developmental Biology (BSDB) is awarded annually to individuals who have “made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and communication of developmental biology”.
Professor Vargesson, Chair in Developmental Biology, received the honour in recognition of his research on thalidomide which uncovered how the notorious drug caused birth differences to children. His research detailed how the drug’s ability to destroy blood vessels can cause severe disabilities and health conditions in children exposed to thalidomide.
His team’s work also demonstrated the infamous time-sensitivity actions and the wide range of damage the drug can cause - all through damaging blood vessels. The group has been invited to discuss its work with thalidomide survivors all over the world. They have advised multiple governments about thalidomide and the identification of survivors. They have also been instrumental in establishing recognition and compensation schemes for unacknowledged survivors in Australia, Canada, Malta and are in ongoing discussions with several other countries.
Professor Vargesson’s work has led to societal change as hundreds of previously unrecognised survivors are now compensated and able to change their lifestyles to adapt to their birth differences. His team has also worked on the medicine Primodos, previously used as a hormone pregnancy test. This research has led to invitations to advise the UK and German governments as well as independent reviews and inquiries to ascertain the safety of the components of Primodos. Altogether his group’s research underpins how basic science and developmental biology in particular can shed light on medicine safety and lead to societal change.
While studying for his PhD at University College London, he was the last PhD student supervised by Professor Lewis Wolpert, whom the medal is named after and honours.
Upon accepting the medal, Professor Vargesson said: “I am truly honoured to be awarded the BSDB Lewis Wolpert Medal, not least to be recognised for continuing Lewis’s legacy in the communication of and the importance of developmental biology. But also the recognition of my group’s work in understanding drug/medicine action and drug safety, which has helped – and I hope will continue to help – change victims’ lives.
“I thank Lewis Wolpert and Cheryll Tickle for being awesome PhD supervisors as well as all my postdoc supervisors, students, staff and collaborators for their support, guidance and advice throughout my career.”