(Fwd) CSHL Press Release regarding Dr. Watson's Retirement

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Dan Agin

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Oct 25, 2007, 9:27:21 AM10/25/07

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------- Forwarded message follows -------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jim Bono, Director, Public Affairs
516-367-8455
pub...@cshl.edu

October 25, 2007

Dr. James D. Watson Retires
as Chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Cold Spring Harbor, NY Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) today
announced that Dr. James D. Watson, 79, has retired after nearly 40 years of
distinguished service to CSHL. He had stepped down as President of CSHL in
2003 and most recently served as Chancellor.

In 1968, Watson became Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory,
transforming a small facility into one of the world¹s great education and
research institutions. Initiating a program to study the cause of human
cancer, scientists under his direction have made major contributions to
understanding the genetic basis of cancer. Having served as home to a total
of seven Nobel Prize-winning scientists, CSHL expanded its research
portfolio over the years to programs that now include a broad cancer
program, plant biology, neuroscience, and computational biology. CSHL has
also expanded its science educational programs under Watson¹s direction to
include the famed Banbury Center and the DNA Learning Center that teaches
middle and high school students, and their teachers.

Eduardo Mestre, Chairman of the Board of CSHL, said, ³For over 40 years, Dr.
Watson has made immeasurable contributions to the Laboratory¹s research and
educational programs. His legacy as 1962 Nobel Prize laureate for describing
the structure of DNA will continue to influence biomedical research for
decades to come. The Board respects his decision to retire at this point in
his career. We have great confidence in Dr. Bruce Stillman, who since 1994
has served as Director, then President. His leadership of CSHL¹s 400
scientists will ensure the best environment for groundbreaking research.²

Dr. Stillman said, ³Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has been at the forefront
of research ever since its founding in 1890, but Jim Watson created a
research environment that is unparalleled in the world of science. It was
that environment that attracted me here 28 years ago. As one of the most
highly rated research institutions in the world today, our many
award-winning researchers are well positioned to continue to make new
research breakthroughs thanks to the extraordinary, young talent working
here. We all owe Jim and his wife Liz a great deal of gratitude for devoting
much of his professional career and all of their married life to building up
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory into a leading research center. Jim¹s legacy
will not only include CSHL and the double helix, but his pioneering efforts
that led to the sequencing of the human genome and his innovations in
science writing and education.²

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) is a private, non-profit research and
education institution dedicated to exploring molecular biology and genetics
in order to advance the understanding and ability to diagnose and treat
cancers, neurological diseases, and other causes of human suffering.

For more information, visit www.cshl.edu

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