Northeastern Voice

Karger presented with Bergman Medal

Professor Barry Karger accepts a commemorative plaque from James Waters, founder of the Waters Corp., a major supporter of the Barnett Institute. Photo/LAUREN MCFALLS

Barry Karger may soon need to build another shelf for his honors.

The internationally recognized researcher and founder of the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, has been presented the rarely awarded Torbern Bergman Medal.

Among the most prestigious analytical chemistry awards, presented every other year to a single recipient, the medal, which was presented to Karger at an earlier ceremony, was celebrated June 23 at a reception featuring congratulatory remarks at the Egan Center.

Professor Graham Jones, associate director of the Barnett Institute and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, praised Karger for his insights and keen ability to see the future of chemical analysis, and find the Barnett Center’s niche. Among his career-defining accomplishments, Karger helped develop polymer matrices used in the famous Human Genome Project, which sequenced DNA.

“Barry has now garnered over 10 internationally significant awards because of his pioneering research,” Jones said.

The Bergman Medal denotes those working to make a “paradigm shift in life science” through the role of mass spectrometry, according to a press release.

Karger, holder of 36 patents and author of over 300 publications, was joined by his wife Dr. Trudy Karger, and notable guests: Robert Matz, a biotechnology consultant; James Waters, founder of the Waters Corp., a major supporter of the Barnett Institute; James Green, senior vice president of preclinical and clinical development science at Biogen-Idec Inc.; and Marilyn Hoffman, a member of the Barnett family.

University President Joseph Aoun joined in the honors, along with interim provost Stephen Zoloth.

While accepting the award, Karger reflected on how the institute and Northeastern have grown in stature over the years.

“Years ago, people used to say that Northeastern University was one of the best-kept secrets,” Karger said. “Today, the times are much, much more exciting, and our work is having a widely recognized impact in the field” of bioanalytical chemistry.

Karger said the Bergman Award, which he accepted in Sweden earlier this month, touched him. He was also recently elected as an honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and named recipient of this year’s Csaba Horvath Medal.

— Susan Salk