ScientificAmericanArtist: The Art of Richard W. Hanson
Internationally-celebrated Biochemist and University Professor Exhibits Science-inspired Artwork in his Debut Solo-exhibit
Toledo, OH—August 4, 2011. 20 North Gallery welcomes Richard W. Hanson, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor and the Leonard and Jean Skeggs Professor of Biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, who is presenting his first solo exhibition, ScientificAmericanArtist: The Art of Richard W. Hanson. Dr. Hanson has received international acclaim for his work in biochemical research, developing therapeutic approaches to combat diseases of the eye and brain. As a biochemist and teacher, Dr. Hanson has enjoyed a long career in cutting-edge scientific research—during that time, as a self-taught artist, he has also developed artistic themes of complexity and molecular relationships, through his paintings and works on paper. This exhibition continues through October 1, 2011.
20 North Gallery Art Director, Peggy Grant, says, “We are thrilled to showcase the artistic talents of Dr. Hanson. His scientific and medical research has given him a unique perspective and distinctive approach to art. His list of professional accolades and affiliations is lengthy, at 20 North Gallery we are pleased to focus on this lesser-known dimension of his many achievements.”
20 North Gallery and Dr. Hanson will be welcoming friends and collectors at the free public Opening Reception on Thursday, August 18th from 6 – 9 p.m., in conjunction with the downtown gallery “Art Walk” event. Reception attendees can enjoy light refreshments and conversations with this world-renowned contributor to medical research.
Richard W. Hanson—Cleveland, Ohio: Dr. Richard W. Hanson is a Distinguished University Professor at Case Western Reserve University and the Leonard and Jean Skeggs Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Medicine (Cleveland, Ohio). He received his B.S. in Biology from Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts) and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the Biological Sciences from Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island). He served in the United States Army as a Captain in the Medical Service Corps. Following that, he was a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Sidney Weinhouse at the Fels Research Institute at Temple University School of Medicine (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), where he later joined the faculty. In 1978, Dr. Hanson became a Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition and Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry, a position he held until 1999.
In his more than 50year career in scientific research, he has been a celebrated teacher who has influenced generations of students, many of whom have assumed prominent roles in American academics, including Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman, current President of Princeton University.
Dr. Hanson pioneered the use of molecular biology for the study of the metabolic processes and the development of animal models to understand metabolism in the intact animal. He holds six patents from research developed in his laboratory and is a founding scientist of Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc., a gene therapy company in Cleveland, which is dedicated to developing therapeutic approaches to combat diseases of the eye and brain.
Researchers in Dr. Hanson’s laboratory recently made an exciting discovery by genetically engineering a mouse model known now as the “mighty mouse”—these mice eat more, run much faster and longer, reproduce into old age and live twice as long as normal mice. The mouse model is expected to provide important insights into the impact of prolonged exercise on the development of cancer, and the effect of diet and exercise on longevity.
Dr. Hanson has received many honors throughout his career, the four noted below recognize his contributions to the field of metabolism. The American Institute of Nutrition presented him with the Mead Johnson Award in 1971 for outstanding research by a scientist under the age of 40 and the Osborne Mendel Award in 1995, for excellence in research nutrition. Dr. Hanson also received two major awards from the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology related to his metabolic research: the Rose Award in 1999 and the Merck Award in 2006.
In 2001, Case Western Reserve University awarded him the Dorothy Hummel Hovorka Prize, the University’s top honor, in recognition of “exceptional achievements in teaching, research and service to the University, the community, the nation and the world.”
Dr. Hanson is also a collector of visual arts, a musician and self-taught artist, whose own work is inspired by his life as a scientist and the complexity of biological processes.
(Biography adapted from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine’s program for The Richard W. Hanson Symposium held in September 2010.)
To view a virtual tour by GreaterToledoVirtualTours.com of ScientificAmericanArtist: The Art of Richard W. Hanson visit www.20northgallery.net
What: ScientificAmericanArtist: The Art of Richard W. Hanson
Where: 20 North Gallery, 18 N. St. Clair Street, (Downtown) Toledo, Ohio 43604, 419-241-2400
When: August 18 – October 1, 2011
Exhibit Hours
Wednesday – Saturday:
Noon – 4 p.m.
and By Appointment
Free Public Opening Reception — Thursday August 18, 2011, 6 – 9 p.m.
For More Information Contact: Eric Hillenbrand (Owner) or Peggy Grant (Art Director) at 419-241-2400, or visit www.20northgallery.net
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Press Release Contact Name: 20 North Gallery
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-241-2400
Organization Name: 20 North Gallery
Website or Link: www.20northgallery.net
Organization Address: 18 N. St. Clair Street, Toledo, OH, 43604