Peter Holland awarded ZSL Frink Medal

Professor Peter Holland FRS has been awarded the 2015 ZSL Frink Medal, the Society's highest award for significant and original contributions by a professional zoologist to the development of the science. Professor Holland, a Fellow of the college and Linacre Professor of Zoology since 2002, was presented with the award at a ceremony at ZSL London Zoo on Tuesday 21 June. The award citation recognised Professor Holland's prolific research on the impacts of gene duplication which have helped shed crucial light on the complex history of vertebrate evolution.

The first recipient of the Frink Medal was Julian Huxley in 1973, and the award has been made annually since. The recipient receives a bronze plaque depicting a bison carved by sculptor Elisabeth Frink.

Speaking at the award ceremony, ZSL Director General Ralph Armond said:

"I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s winners. The Zoological Society of London has been promoting science and conservation since its inception, and the ZSL Annual Awards provide a great opportunity for us to recognise the work of some of the most brilliant and passionate individuals in this field, who have each demonstrated their commitment to working for wildlife worldwide."

ZSL's Secretary Geoff Boxshall FRS added:

"In addition to his research, Peter is a generous teacher and science communicator. We are delighted to acknowledge Peter's extensive impact on comparative animal genomics with the Society's Frink Award."

Before coming to Merton, Professor Holland spent eight years as Professor of Zoology in the School of Animal and Microbial Sciences at the University of Reading. The ZSL presented him with their Scientific Medal in 1996, and his other awards include the Linnean Society Medal for Zoology (2012), the Alexander Kowalevsky Medal (2006), the Blaise Pascal Medal in Natural Sciences (2005), the inaugural Genetics Society Medal (2004), and the De Snoo van 't Hoogerhuys Medal (1999). He was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society in 2003.