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Dr Patrick Leonard, a 1956 Biochemistry graduate, returns 66 years later to visit the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
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Dr Patrick Leonard together with his wife Glenda, and twin sister Sr Emmanuel, returned after 66 years after his graduation to visit the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology on Tuesday 11 October.
They met with and spoke to staff as well as undergraduate Biochemistry and postgraduate research students.
Dr Leonard completed a Biochemistry degree in UCC from 1952 - 1956. At that time, the Biochemistry Department consisted of one undergraduate lab and one postgraduate lab, plus a tiny office for Professor Brady and one for Senior lecturer Dr Eric Tully plus a cubby hole for admin person.
Subsequently, Dr Leonard completed a PhD in the Department of Medicine, Sheffield where he researched aldosterone control mechanisms. He conducted postdoctoral research in the Department of Medicine Makere University, Uganda. Dr Leonard then moved to the Department of Medicine at Leeds University where he commenced a lectureship role in addition to being the Director of the Metabolic Unit laboratory. Later, he returned to Ireland as a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry at Trinity College, Dublin and Director of the Central Biochemistry Department. Dr Leonard then joined GD Searle and set up a commercial specialised hormone assay laboratory in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Dr Leonard moved to the USA to take up the role of President of Worthington Diagnostics, New Jersey, and subsequently, was the President and CEO of Cambridge Bioscience in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dr Leonard is the recipient of an honorary DSc (1994) from the NUI.
During his visit Dr Leonard said he “has wonderful memories of the old Biochemistry Department” and he enjoyed meeting our students and seeing the current Biochemistry facilitates.
Dr Patrick Leonard visiting with postgraduate students in one of our postgraduate labs in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
Dr Patrick Leonard visiting with Fourth Year students in an undergraduate lab in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 66 years after he himself graduated from the BSc in Biochemistry at UCC.