About Leena
Academician of Science, Professor Leena Peltonen-Palotie was the Research Director at the Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, Research Professor at the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland and Head of Human Genetics at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. She was also a visiting professor at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, USA. Leena passed away on 11 March 2010 at her home in Finland after a long and characteristically courageous battle with cancer.
She had a hugely distinguished career, publishing more than 580 research papers as well as almost 80 reviews in peer-reviewed journals. During the last 30 years her papers have appeared in the leading journals of molecular genetics and molecular biology including Nature, Science Nature Genetics, Nature Structural Biology, New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Human genetics, Human Molecular Genetics, EMBO Journal and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). These papers contain a vast quantity of highly original and significant data that has enormously increased our knowledge of the molecular genetics and molecular pathogenesis of human diseases, providing some seminal contributions in molecular medicine. These studies have gained a wide national and international recognition as reflected by the numerous prizes and honors she has received. In 1992 she received the prestigious Nordic Anders Jahre Prize. She was honored by the Honorary Doctorship of the University of Uppsala in January 2000 in the Millennium Promotion celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Promotion tradition in Scandinavia. In 2003 she obtained the Margaret Pittman lectureship award, given to eminent female scientists by NIH and in 2006 she received two international Prizes, the Nordic Fernström Prize and the European van Gysel Prize. She was also elected into the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of USA. In 2010 the UK research community has recognized her scientific contributions with the Carter medal and by selecting her as Hugh Sinclair Lecturer. In 2009 she awarded the honorary title of Academician of Science. The letter of appointment was presented to Professor Peltonen by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen. The title of Academician can be held by no more than twelve Finnish scientists and scholars at a time.
Leena graduated MD in 1976 and PhD in 1978 from the University of Oulu, Finland. She carried out postdoctoral research at Rutgers Medical School, New Jersey after which she returned to Finland, becoming Professor at the National Public Health Institute in 1991 at the age of 39. In 1998 she took up a new challenge, returning to the US to establish a major genetics research centre at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), which she led for four years. In 2002 Finland once more called and Leena returned to a Professorship in the University of Helsinki and the National Public Health Institute. She rose in influence and was invited to a Visiting Professorship at the Broad Institute, one of the world's leading genetics institutions.
In 2007 she assumed the position of Head of Human Genetics at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute to be held concurrently with her roles in Finland and the US. Her indefatigable style meant that she was able to succeed in these three demanding roles.
She was the Director of the Center of Excellence in Disease Genetics of the Academy of Finland and the Nordic Center of Excellence in Disease Genetics As the distinct recognition by her peers she was served as the President of Human Genome Organization HUGO in 2005-2007. She was also nominated as one of the founding members for the 22 member board of the European Research Council. Both these nominations and her multiple memberships in scientific advisory boards of academic institutes, genome centers and major funding agencies worldwide reflect her leading position in genetics and molecular medicine worldwide.
Leena was a visionary geneticist, champion of population genetics and public health, firmly supporting public health strategies alongside clinical measures to improve human health. Leena's return to her European roots reflected her personal commitment to the understanding and conquest of genetic disease and her vision of the importance of European population genetics in this quest. She worked tirelessly to bring together human genetics activities across Europe. The Sanger Institute and the progress of human genetics globally are diminished by her passing.
Leena's vision and charisma have been inspirational to many, particularly the younger generation. As a teacher and scholar she has fostered the next generation of geneticists, supervising more than 70 PhD students. Her legacy, though, is international: she has transformed science and scientists where she has left her touch. It is also personal: she evinced strong support and respect in all those with whom she worked.