Adrian P. Bird, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘71-‘73) of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh has been named one of five recipients of the 2011 Canada Gairdner International Award. This highly prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made significant tangible achievements in the field of medical science. Dr. Bird is honored “for pioneering discoveries on DNA methylation and its role in gene expression.” His work has had an important impact on the understanding of Rett Syndrome and is likely to also result in insights for cancer and other human diseases.