Discovering the dynamics of DNA
with Dr. Nancy Lane —

In keeping with College tradition,
the first two terms of 2003

were marked by guest presenta-
tions from enlightening and
interesting speakers. Among
those that stood out was the
January 17, 2003, presentation by
Dr. Nancy Lane, who delivered

a talk commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the discovery

of DNA in the College’s Fairmont

Social Lounge.

During her presentation, Dr. Lane
reflected on the science of

DNA and then went on to discuss
the contributions of Rosalind
Franklin, an industry pioneer

whose x-ray diffraction pictures

of DNA were published in Nature
in April 1953. This event played
an important role in establishing
the structure of DNA. In fact,

as Dr. Lane revealed, many
scientists now believe Franklin
played an even larger role

than previously acknowledged in
the research that led to the 1962
Nobel Prize awarded to the trio
of Maurice Wilkins, Francis Crick
and James Watson, for their

discovery of DNA’s double helix.

Dr. Lane was born in Canada and
earned her Doctor of Philosophy
at Oxford University. She then
carried out post-doctoral research
in the United States, first at New

College residents will be aware that Grant

York’s Albert Einstein College

of Medicine, and then at

Yale University’s Department of
Biology. From there, Dr. Lane
joined a neurobiological research
unit in the Department of
Zoology at Cambridge University,
where she is now a senior
research associate. She is also
an Official Fellow of Girton
College, where she is a lecturer

in cell biology.

Dr. Lane’s visit was funded by
the British High Commission

in Canada and is the first in

a number of similar lectures by
well-known British scientists.
Through her lecture at St. John’s

From left to right: Vancouver’s Consul

General for the United Kingdom, James
Rawlinson; Dr. Nancy Lane; and St. John’s

College Principal, Dr. Grant Ingram.

College, she conveyed the wider
context of science and the
challenges that confront female
scientists. Her message was
well received by a full house of
students, staff and guests.

St. John’s College has often been categorized as a mini United

Ingram, the Founding Principal of SJC, Nations. This is a reflection of two important factors. First, we have

completed his six-year term of office in a diverse resident population, which includes 168 members from 40
July. Grant is presently on administrative/ different countries who are engaged in 55 areas of post graduate
sabbatical leave, after which he will be study. Second, and equally important, we create opportunities for our
returning to his UBC academic position as __ residents to interact with each other and with the surrounding UBC
Professor of Earth and Ocean Sciences. population and external communities through our extensive academic
My tenure as Acting Principal of the and social programming. College life also offers residents the chance
College began on August 1st and will con- to be exposed to, and to associate with, individuals from diverse
tinue until the end of June 2004, at which cultures and, by so doing, fosters an awareness, understanding, and

time the Principal-Designate, Tim Brook, appreciation of the richness they bring to our lives. In speaking

Professor of History, University of Toronto, directly to residents, | would say that by taking advantage of all of

will take up his assignment as the next these opportunities, you develop an identity as a global citizen and

Shel Cherry

Acting Principal Principal of St. John’s College. make life-long friends; if you restrict yourself to a small clique,
i ae i you will lose this opportunity. If you become a full member of the SJC
As Acting Principal, it is my privilege and pleasure to welcome warmly
ou community, you will leave here a better-educated person, and your
our new and continuing Junior Fellows, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and a
ae College experiences will serve you well in your future activities and
Visiting Scholars to the 2003/04 academic year at the College. Our
oe adventures. | urge you to help strengthen the College, and your life, by
new residents will quickly discover that there is a strong sense of oe i
; aay engaging in at least some of the many programs and opportunities
community at SJC, which is the result of six years of dedicated service
a that are available to you as a member of St. John’s College.
and outstanding leadership by Grant, and the associated traditions

established by College residents and alumni. The SJC staff joins me in wishing you all a successful academic year

and many happy College experiences. We look forward to working with
you in ways that will help make this happen.