George Petersen (biochemist)

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]

George Petersen ONZM
Born	George Bouet Petersen (1933-09-05)5 September 1933 Palmerston North, New Zealand
Died	11 July 2021(2021-07-11) (aged 87) Dunedin, New Zealand
Education	University of Otago (MSc) University of Oxford (MA, DPhil)
Spouse	Patricia Jane Egerton Caughey ​ ​ (m. 1960)​
Scientific career
Fields	Biochemistry
Institutions	University of Otago
Doctoral students	Diana Hill
Relatives	George Petersen (father)

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

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. 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. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
6. "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: P". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
7. "View our current Fellows". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
8. "List of all Fellows with surnames P–R". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
9. "New Year honours list 1997". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 1996. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
10. "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.