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The Dawson Prize, awarded every two to three years, was established by a gift from founder of Trinity’s Department of Genetics, Professor George Dawson (1927-2004). The winner receives a gold miniature of the sculpture “The Double Helix” by the late Brian King and, after accepting the award, gives a public lecture and spends time in discussion with sophister and graduate students of the Smurfit Institute of Genetics.
Trudy is recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities on the genetics of complex traits. Much of her research has focused on the fruit fly, Drosophila, which has proved invaluable as a model species for investigating how key genes function. In addition to being director of the Center for Human Genetics, which is part of Clemson’s College of Science, she is also the Self Family Endowed Chair in Human Genetics. Mackay is also a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society of London.
Trudy will deliver a fascinating public lecture at 6pm on Thursday November 1, in which she outlines how geneticists are probing questions that underpin a range of human diseases with the aim of better understanding how these diseases function and, crucially, how we might prevent/treat them. Focusing on key Drosophila studies that have hugely boosted our knowledge and delivered enormous societal impact as a result, she will provide case studies involving genes related to alcohol sensitivity, visual senescence, and the development of glaucoma. A full abstract appears below.
Speaking about winning the 2018 Dawson Prize in Genetics, Trudy Mackay said: “It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award and to join the outstanding scientists who have previously been awarded the Dawson Prize.”
“I am particularly pleased that the selection committee has recognised the pivotal role the Drosophila model system has played in our understanding of complex trait genetics. Future advances in understanding the genetic basis of human disease will increasingly rely on research utilising comparative genetics and genomics to understand the function of the many thousands of variants badociated with disease in human populations.”
Professor in Genetics at Trinity, Aoife McLysaght, said: “The Dawson Prize is a very special award. It encompbades George Dawson’s pbadion for genetics; his recognition that science needs to be shared with the public; and his placement of students at the heart of the Genetics Department—a tradition that happily continues to this day.”
“We are excited to honour the ground-breaking work of Trudy Mackay with the award of the Dawson Prize. Over the course of her distinguished career, Trudy has tackled one of the most difficult and challenging questions in genetics, namely the genetics of complex traits—the least predictable, but often most interesting traits including behavioural traits and disease risk. Her public lecture will be a special opportunity for people to come and learn about this exciting science from a world-renowned expert.”
Provided by Trinity College Dublin
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