Geneticist
Born 1931.

A celebrated geneticist whose work on gene mapping has shaped our understanding of human evolution.

Connection to the University of Glasgow: Alumnus, Honorary Graduate, Lecturer, Professor
GU Degrees: MB ChB, 1955; DSc, 2002;

Discover more geneticists on the University of Glasgow Story website

Achievements

The following achievement is associated with Malcolm Ferguson-Smith:

Pioneering work on sex chromosomes
Ferguson-Smith contributed significantly to gene mapping and developed improved tests for screening for Down’s syndrome and spina bifida in the fetus.

Honours

The following honours are associated with this person:

• European Society of Human Genetics Award
• Fellow of the Royal Society
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
• Honorary Degree
• Makdougall Brisbane Prize

Biography

Malcolm Andrew Ferguson-Smith (1931- ) is an award winning graduate of the University who was Professor of Medical Genetics from 1973 until 1987.

Ferguson-Smith graduated MB, ChB in 1955 and was appointed a lecturer in Medical Genetics at the University in 1961. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1965 and Reader in 1971, and he was Honorary Consultant in Medical Paediatrics at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children from 1966 and in Clinical Genetics at Yorkhill and Associated Hospitals from 1973 to 1987.

In 1987, Ferguson-Smith left Glasgow to become Professor of Pathology and Professorial Fellow at Peterhouse College, Cambridge. He was also Director of the Cambridge University Centre for Medical Genetics from 1989.

Malcolm's father, John Ferguson-Smith, also graduated from the University of Glasgow.