Designed to recognise excellence in different areas of aspirin research, the biennial Senior Science Award is open to individuals and groups with long-term interest and a record of valuable biomedical research that has enhanced the scientific knowledge of aspirin and its impact on human health. In aspirin’s 125th anniversary year two awards were made to celebrate ground-breaking work in both basic science and clinical science.
Professor Sir John Burn
received the award for excellence and innovation in clinical science in recognition of his outstanding contribution to defining aspirin’s role in cancer prevention, and in particular, the role of aspirin in the prevention of hereditary colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) through the CAPP1, CAPP2 and CaPP3 trials – the first of which began in the 1990’s and the third of which is ongoing.
Professor Giovanni de Gaetano
has been recognised for excellence and innovation in basic science over 50 years for his work in platelet pharmacology and his seminal contributions to the molecular characterization of the mechanism of action of aspirin on platelet COX-1 that was instrumental to the successful use of low-dose aspirin in the prevention of ischemic cardiovascular disease.