On Tuesday 22nd July, staff and students from across the School of Life Sciences gathered in The Street to celebrate a truly momentous occasion: the 80th birthday of Sir Philip Cohen, a scientific giant, visionary leader, and the architect of modern life sciences in Dundee.

This surprise celebration, attended by colleagues and friends, featured heartfelt tributes, tea, coffee, and plenty of cake all in honour of one of the most influential figures in the history of the University and the global field of signal transduction.

Philip’s impact on science and on Dundee is immense. After studying biochemistry at UCL and completing a postdoctoral fellowship with Nobel Laureate Ed Fischer in Seattle, Philip joined the University of Dundee as a Lecturer in 1971 alongside his wife and esteemed colleague, the late Professor Tricia Cohen. Together, they helped build a scientific powerhouse from the ground up.

Philip rose through the ranks to become Professor of Enzymology in 1981, was appointed a Royal Society Research Professor and elected FRS in 1984, and became a foreign associate of the US National Academy of Sciences in 2008. He founded and directed the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit (now MRC PPU) from 1983 to 2012, laying the foundations for what has become a world-leading research institute.

As Director of Research for the College of Life Sciences, Philip was instrumental in recruiting outstanding scientists, fundraising for major infrastructure such as the Wellcome Trust Building and the Sir James Black Centre, and establishing the DSTT, a groundbreaking collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry.

In 2023, Philip and his family established the Tricia Cohen Memorial Trust, which funds PhD studentships in Tricia’s memory, further reinforcing their legacy in nurturing the next generation of scientists.

Philip’s foresight, scientific brilliance, and tireless efforts have shaped Life Sciences in Dundee into what it is today, an internationally recognised centre of excellence.

We were honoured to celebrate his 80th birthday with Philip. From all of us: Happy Birthday, Sir Philip and thank you.