New Zealand biochemist (1933–2021)
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 with a 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] A notable doctoral student of Petersen at the University of Otago was Diana Hill .[ 7]
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.[ 8] 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.[ 9] In 2003, Petersen received the Rutherford Medal , the most prestigious award given by the Royal Society of New Zealand.[ 10]
References
New Zealand Science and Technology Gold Medal Rutherford Medal