Michael Rawlins, Clinical pharmacologist, Died at 81

Sir Michael David Rawlins: A Pillar of Healthcare and Patient Advocacy

Sir Michael David Rawlins, born on March 28, 1941, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, was a distinguished British clinical pharmacologist and an eminent figure in healthcare regulation and patient protection. His remarkable career was dedicated to advancing medical science, ensuring safety, and fostering innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the healthcare landscape of the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Education

Michael Rawlins was born to Reverend Jack Rawlins and Evelyn Daphne Douglas-Hamilton on March 28, 1941, in the historic town of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He attended Uppingham School in Rutland and achieved distinction in his undergraduate studies at the University of London in 1962. Fueled by a passion for medicine, he earned his medical degree from St Thomas' Hospital in 1965.

Career

Rawlins initiated his medical career with enthusiasm, completing his house jobs in surgery and medicine at esteemed institutions. His expertise started shining during his tenure with the National Committee on Pharmacology from 1977 to 1983. In 1980, he became a member of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, showcasing his dedication to patient safety. This commitment led to his appointment as the Chairman of the Committee in 1993, a position he held until 1998.

In 1998, Rawlins assumed the role of Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, a position he held until 2008. His influence extended to healthcare technology assessment as he actively participated in the Standing Group on Health Technology Assessment from 1993 to 1995.

Rawlins' most significant contributions to healthcare regulation were as the Chair of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) from its inception in 1999 until April 2013. His tenure saw influential decisions, including the assessment of the flu medication, Relenza, significantly shaping healthcare policies in the UK.

In 2010, Rawlins played a pivotal role in establishing the all-party parliamentary group for Huntington's disease in the UK Parliament, garnering support from over 40 MPs and peers. From 2012 to 2019, he chaired UK Biobank, contributing to the advancement of medical research.

In November 2014, Rawlins assumed the position of Chair of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), a role renewed for an additional three years in 2017. His leadership in these key healthcare organizations reflected his unwavering commitment to patient safety and innovation.

Eponymous Lectures

Rawlins' illustrious career was also marked by delivering several eponymous lectures that made a lasting impact on medical discourse. Notably, his 2008 Harveian Lecture challenged traditional hierarchies of evidence-based medicine, advocating for a holistic evaluation of clinical evidence and emphasizing the importance of judgment in medical decision-making.

Honours and Awards

Rawlins' remarkable contributions to medicine were recognized through numerous accolades. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1977, followed by his induction as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh a decade later. His accolades included the Hutchinson Medal in 2003 and the prestigious Galen Medal in 2010. Rawlins was knighted in the 1999 New Year Honours, and he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours.

Personal and Family

In 1963, Michael Rawlins married Elizabeth Hambly, a nurse, and they had three daughters. Despite their separation in 2005, Rawlins' dedication to family and public service remained steadfast.

Passing

On January 1, 2023, Sir Michael David Rawlins passed away from sepsis and heart failure in Darlington. His passing marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to patient protection and healthcare innovation. At the time of his passing, he held the honorary position of professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, and served as an emeritus professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is survived by his daughters Vicky, Lucy, and Suzannah, as well as eight grandchildren.

Meenakshi Narain, Experimental physicist, Died at 58

Meenakshi Narain: A Trailblazing Physicist Bridging Continents

Meenakshi Narain, born on May 9, 1964, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, left an indelible mark on the scientific world as a distinguished Indian-born American experimental physicist. Her career was a journey marked by pioneering discoveries and notable positions, including serving as a Professor of Physics and Chair of the Department of Physics at Brown University. Additionally, she made significant contributions as the Chair of the Collaboration Board of U.S. institutions in the groundbreaking Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Collaboration.

Early Life and Educational Path

Narain's educational journey bore the marks of pivotal moments that guided her to the fascinating realm of physics. Despite initial familial expectations leaning towards a legal career, she was drawn to physics during high school. She pursued a math track, ultimately leading her to the captivating world of physics and statistics. Her academic pursuits took her to Gorakhpur University for B.Sc., IIT Kanpur for M.Sc., and Stony Brook University for her Ph.D. There, under the guidance of Juliet Lee-Franzini, her groundbreaking research on "Inclusive Photon Spectra from Upsilon States" set the stage for her impactful career.

Academic Trajectory and Contributions

Before her tenure at Brown University from 2007 onwards, Narain was an esteemed faculty member at Boston University for eight years. Her dedication and research prowess earned her the title of full professor in 2010. Her contributions extended across significant experiments, notably the DØ experiment at Fermilab, where the discovery of the top quark in 1995 made history.

Narain's journey in physics continued to the CMS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, where she played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking discovery of the elusive Higgs Boson in 2012. Her commitment to advancing scientific boundaries was further underscored by her role as Chair of the Collaboration Board of U.S. institutions in the CMS Collaboration from July 2018 to July 2022.

Advocacy, Outreach, and Legacy

Beyond her scientific contributions, Narain advocated passionately for gender equality in STEM fields. Her tireless efforts have had a lasting impact on the inclusion of women in science. She was also a strong advocate for science communication to the public, participating in events such as the WaterFire Big Bang Science Fair in Providence, Rhode Island.

The untimely passing of Meenakshi Narain in 2023 marked a profound loss in the world of physics. However, her legacy lives on through her groundbreaking scientific contributions, her tireless advocacy for women in STEM, and her dedication to unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

Martin Davis, American Mathematician, Died at 94

Martin David Davis: Pioneering Mathematician and Computer Scientist

Martin David Davis (March 8, 1928 – January 1, 2023) was a revered American mathematician and computer scientist, renowned for his significant contributions to computability theory and mathematical logic. His work has etched an indelible mark on the landscape of mathematics and computer science.

Early Life and Education

Born on March 8, 1928, in the lively city of New York City, Martin David Davis was raised in a household of Jewish immigrants from Łódź, Poland, who settled in New York City. Growing up in the vibrant borough of the Bronx, his parents instilled in him a profound appreciation for education, shaping his educational aspirations.

In 1948, Davis earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from City College. Fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he pursued a Ph.D. in Science, successfully obtaining it from the prestigious Princeton University in 1950. His doctoral dissertation, titled "On the Theory of Recursive Unsolvability," was guided by the eminent American mathematician and computer scientist, Alonzo Church.

Academic Journey

Martin David Davis embarked on an illustrious academic journey that traversed various esteemed institutions of learning. During the early 1950s, he served as a research instructor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During this time, he became an early programmer of the ORDVAC computer, marking the beginnings of his association with computing. Subsequently, he contributed his expertise to renowned institutions such as Bell Labs and the RAND Corporation. Later in his career, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the computer science department at New York University (NYU). His commitment to academia was unwavering, culminating in his retirement from NYU in 1996. Additionally, he enriched the field of computer science as a visiting faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley.

Contributions to Mathematics and Computer Science

Hilbert's Tenth Problem

One of Martin David Davis's most significant achievements was his pioneering work on Hilbert's tenth problem. This mathematical enigma, initially proposed by the German mathematician David Hilbert, revolved around ascertaining whether a Diophantine equation possessed an algorithmic solution. Davis's early engagement with this problem during his Ph.D. dissertation led to a conjecture that it was insoluble. Collaborating with American mathematicians Hilary Putnam and Julia Robinson during the 1950s and 1960s, they made substantial strides towards solving this conjecture. The culmination of their efforts materialized in 1970 with the significant contribution of Russian mathematician Yuri Matiyasevich, resulting in the MRDP theorem—honoring Martin David Davis, Hilary Putnam, Julia Robinson, and Yuri Matiyasevich. Davis had often described this problem as "irresistibly seductive" and a "lifelong obsession."

The DPLL Algorithm

In 1961, Martin David Davis joined forces with Hilary Putnam, George Logemann, and Donald W. Loveland to conceive the Davis–Putnam–Logemann–Loveland (DPLL) algorithm. This backtracking-based search algorithm proved instrumental in solving propositional logic formulae in conjunctive normal form (CNF-SAT), a critical component of Boolean satisfiability solvers. This algorithm built upon their earlier work, the Davis–Putnam algorithm, which was established in 1960. The DPLL algorithm continues to form the bedrock of fast Boolean satisfiability solvers.

Other Pioneering Contributions

Beyond his foundational work in computability theory, Martin David Davis made significant strides in computational complexity and mathematical logic. He introduced his model of Post–Turing machines, further enriching the field of computer science.

Honors and Accolades

Martin David Davis received a multitude of honors and awards in acknowledgment of his extraordinary contributions. Notably, he was bestowed with the Leroy P. Steele Prize, the Chauvenet Prize (shared with Reuben Hersh), and the Lester R. Ford Award. Additionally, he was honored as a fellow of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Mathematical Society.

Published Works

Martin David Davis's influence extended to the realm of literature, with his books serving as pivotal resources in theoretical computer science. His book "Computability and Unsolvability," published in 1958, is revered as a classic in the field. In 2000, he authored "The Universal Computer," a historical exploration of computing that delves into the works of luminaries such as Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Alan Turing. His book "The Undecidable," first published in 1965, presented a collection of unsolvable problems and computable functions, adding to his lasting legacy in mathematical literature.

Personal Life and Legacy

In his personal life, Martin David Davis was married to Virginia Whiteford Palmer, a talented textile artist. Their journey together began in 1951 when they met during their time in the Urbana–Champaign area. Their union was blessed with two children, and they shared their lives in Berkeley, California, following Davis's retirement.

Passing

Tragically, Martin David Davis passed away on January 1, 2023, at the age of 94. Remarkably, his wife, Virginia Whiteford Palmer, also passed away on the same day, just several hours later. Martin David Davis's legacy endures through his groundbreaking work in mathematics and computer science, and his influence will continue to inspire generations of scholars and researchers in these fields.

Mario Artali, Italian politician, Died at 84

 Mario Artali: A Statesman's Legacy

Mario Artali (18 November 1938 – 1 January 2023) stood as a prominent figure in Italy, leaving a lasting imprint through his roles as a distinguished businessman and a dedicated politician. Affiliated with the Italian Socialist Party, he graced the Chamber of Deputies from 1972 to 1976, playing a vital role in shaping the country's course during his political tenure.

Early Life and Formative Years

Mario Artali was born on 18 November 1938 in Italy, growing up during a time of immense political and social transformations within the nation. As he stepped into adulthood, Artali felt the call to embark on a political journey, driven by the desire to actively partake in sculpting Italy's destiny.

A Political Odyssey

Artali's political voyage led him to align with the Italian Socialist Party, a platform that provided him the opportunity to serve in the Chamber of Deputies, a pivotal legislative body in Italy, from 1972 to 1976. During his tenure, Artali diligently addressed a spectrum of issues and crafted policies aimed at enhancing the lives of the Italian populace. His unyielding commitment to public service garnered him respect and admiration among both his peers and constituents.

The End of an Era

Sadly, Mario Artali's journey came to a close on 1 January 2023, as he breathed his last breath in Milan at the age of 84. His passing marked a significant chapter's end within Italian politics, leaving behind a void that would prove challenging to fill. Artali's contributions to his country, as both a politician and a businessman, will be enshrined and commemorated for generations to come.

Mario Artali's life and trajectory stand as a testament to the significance of public service and the enduring impact that individuals can wield on their nations. His steadfast dedication to the upliftment of Italy and its citizens will serve as an enduring inspiration for the future generations.

Marilyn Stafford, American-born British photographer, Died at 97

 Marilyn Jean Stafford: A Visionary Photographer Storyteller

Marilyn Jean Stafford (née Gerson; November 5, 1925 – January 2, 2023) was a remarkable British photographer celebrated for her captivating visual narratives. Her photographic journey spanned continents, gracing newspapers and exhibitions and leaving an indelible mark on the world of photography.

Early Life and Artistic Exploration

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Marilyn Jean Gerson showed artistic promise at an early age. Her artistic journey began in acting at the prestigious Cleveland Play House at the age of seven. This path eventually led her to New York City, where she explored acting Off-Broadway and delved into the early realms of television.

However, it was in 1948 that photography serendipitously entered her life. During a documentary film interview with the iconic Albert Einstein, friends handed her a 35 mm camera, sparking her newfound curiosity in capturing the world through the lens.

Pioneering Work in Paris

In December 1948, Marilyn set her sights on Paris, a city teeming with artistic vibrance. While pursuing her passion for singing at Chez Carrère, a dinner club off the illustrious Champs-Élysées, she fortuitously crossed paths with renowned war photographer and photojournalist Robert Capa.

Embracing photography, Marilyn explored the Parisian streets guided by the legendary Henri Cartier-Bresson. She developed a distinctive approach, focusing on capturing candid everyday moments in a documentary style, choosing realism over opulence, a departure from conventional fashion photography.

A Lifetime of Photography

Marilyn's photographic journey continued to evolve and intertwine with significant events. In 1956, she married Robin Stafford, a British foreign correspondent for the Daily Express based in Paris. This marked a turning point as her lens began to document pressing global issues. A personal assignment in 1958 to document Algerian refugees fleeing the devastation of the Algerian War showcased her talent in amplifying the voices of the marginalized.

Her lens expanded to capture portraits of luminaries such as Indira Gandhi, Italo Calvino, and Sharon Tate, among others.

Awards and Honors

Marilyn Stafford's unparalleled contributions to photography were acknowledged with the esteemed Chairman's Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Picture Editors' Guild Awards in 2020, a testament to her lasting impact on the craft.

Personal Life and Enduring Legacy

Marilyn Jean Stafford's personal life was marked by marriages to filmmaker Joseph Kohn, Robin Stafford, and João Manuel Viera. In her final years, she resided in the coastal town of Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.

On January 2, 2023, at the age of 97, Marilyn Stafford bid farewell to the world she had so beautifully captured through her lens.

The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award

Marilyn Stafford's dedication to storytelling through photography continues to inspire. The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award, established on International Women's Day in 2017, annually recognizes professional women photographers documenting pressing social, environmental, economic, or cultural issues. The award, accompanied by a £2000 prize and invaluable mentoring opportunities, stands as a beacon of her enduring legacy.

Publications and Exhibitions

Marilyn Stafford's legacy lives on in her publications, including "Silent Stories: A Photographic Journey through Lebanon in the Sixties" and "Marilyn Stafford: A Life in Photography." Her work has graced the walls of renowned institutions, from the Nehru Centre in London to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, bearing witness to her enduring impact on the world of photography.

Through her lens, Marilyn Jean Stafford wove stories that transcended time and space, leaving behind a visual legacy that continues to inspire and enlighten.

Mako Sajko, Slovenian film director, Died at 95

 Mako Sajko: A Pioneer in Slovenian Filmmaking

Mako Sajko, a distinguished Slovenian documentarist, screenwriter, and film director, made an enduring mark on the cinematic world throughout his lifetime. He was born on January 19, 1927, in Tržič, and his journey as a filmmaker significantly impacted the industry.

Sajko's love for cinema drove him to pursue formal education under the mentorship of Slavko Vorkapić at the High Film School in Belgrade. In 1959, he made history by becoming the first Slovenian film director to achieve a formal degree in directing upon graduation.

Throughout his career, Sajko was recognized for his socially conscious approach to filmmaking. He fearlessly addressed taboo subjects like industrial pollution and prostitution, utilizing his craft to shed light on these critical issues.

One of his most notable works was the documentary film "Samomorilci, pozor!" (Suicides, Beware!), released in 1967. This film not only garnered several awards and critical acclaim but also sparked controversy within Yugoslav authorities. The documentary's focus on the escalating suicides among young people led to the establishment of the first youth suicide prevention programs, but it also resulted in the film being banned. Sadly, this controversy hampered Sajko's career prospects, including the opportunity for a feature film debut.

Despite these challenges, Sajko persevered in creating thought-provoking films. His final documentary, "Narodna noša" (National Costume), released in 1975, also faced a ban. Eventually, these hurdles pushed him into an early retirement from the world of cinema.

Mako Sajko was a recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1969, he was bestowed with the Prešeren Fund Award, recognizing his significant contributions to Slovenian culture. Later in life, he received the Badjura Lifetime Achievement Prize in 2009 and the France Štiglic Award for his exceptional career in 2021.

On January 1, 2023, Mako Sajko passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of socially relevant and impactful documentary filmmaking that continues to resonate with audiences.

Lise Nørgaard, Danish journalist, Died at 105

 Lise Nørgaard: A Pioneering Danish Journalist and Literary Luminary

Lise Nørgaard, born Elise Jensen on 14 June 1917, left an indelible mark on Danish literature and cultural commentary. Her versatile contributions spanned across various literary forms, from novels and essays to captivating short stories. However, it was her enchanting memoir of childhood, titled "Kun en pige" (Only a Girl), that truly captured hearts and became a bestseller in 1992, cementing her position as a literary luminary. Its profound impact led to a feature film adaptation in 1995.

Life and Professional Journey

One of the standout achievements in Lise Nørgaard's illustrious career was her pivotal role in creating and co-writing the television series "Matador" from 1978 to 1982. Set in the fictional town of Korsbæk between 1929 and 1947, the series eloquently depicted Danish characters and their lives, making it the most successful TV program in Danish history and propelling Nørgaard to the status of a cultural icon.

Nørgaard's journey commenced in journalism when she joined the esteemed Politiken newspaper in 1949. Her writing predominantly focused on household and women's issues, offering valuable insights into societal discourses. Transitioning to Hjemmet, a weekly magazine, in 1968, she eventually became the managing editor from 1975 to 1977. Her columns in the magazine were characterized by their wit and critical observations of Danish life, earning her a devoted readership.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Nørgaard received numerous prestigious honors. The National Press Club of Denmark honored her with the literary achievement award, Publicistprisen. She was also named Danish writer of the year and received "De gyldne Laurbær" (The Golden Laurel). In 1994, Nørgaard achieved the esteemed knighthood in the Order of the Dannebrog, solidifying her legacy in Danish culture. Celebrating her 100th birthday on 14 June 2017, she showcased an enduring spirit and influence.

A Fond Farewell and Lasting Legacy

On 1 January 2023, Lise Nørgaard peacefully passed away in her sleep at the age of 105, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary brilliance and cultural insights that continue to resonate with readers and viewers. Her works have enriched Danish culture and society, ensuring that her influence will be cherished for generations to come.