[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 116 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6644-S6645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT A. CARTLIDGE

 Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, every so often, in the pantheon of 
scientific achievement, there comes an individual with both the 
intellect and the drive to further the course of scientific thought, an 
individual of extraordinary abilities, a truly original mind, which not 
only contributes to the work of modern science, but steps to the 
forefront and blazes a trail for others to follow.

[[Page S6645]]

  I wish to recognize and honor the contributions of one such person, 
one of the select fine minds who possesses the drive, determination, 
and the extraordinary ability to continually explore and challenge the 
limits of scientific knowledge.
  Today I am proud to recognize the important work and achievements of 
Dr. Robert A. Cartlidge.
  Dr. Cartlidge is a leader in the fields of biology, biochemistry, and 
genetics. He is a brilliant scholar, laboratory researcher, and 
educator.
  But most important, he has dedicated himself to the advancement and 
education of others in his field, and he continues to pave the way for 
future innovators in biological science to carry the torch even 
further.
  Dr. Cartlidge was educated at one of the most prestigious and well-
respected institutions in the world, the University of Cambridge. 
Following his undergraduate work, which was marked by academic 
achievement, he was invited by the university's academic administration 
to receive an honorary master's degree in Natural Sciences, joining 
ranks with some of the greatest minds in science.
  Robert Cartlidge was then singled out by the Wellcome Trust, a global 
charity dedicated to supporting the brightest minds in biomedical 
research and the medical humanities, to receive a significant and 
nationally recognized academic award in Scotland: the prestigious 
Wellcome Trust PhD Programme.
  From there, he embarked on a career dedicated to cancer research to 
focus on unlocking the complexities of this deadly and indiscriminate 
disease.
  Dr. Cartlidge's innovative findings have been published in leading 
international scientific and academic journals and have been the basis 
for scientists who have come after him, learning from his publications, 
building upon his work, and advancing the causes of science ever 
further.
  The scientific research tools Dr. Cartlidge has created have since 
been developed into commercial products, and his novel cell system 
continues to find use in laboratories and universities across the 
United States and Canada.
  By themselves, any of these accomplishments would be worthy of 
recognition. But Dr. Cartlidge, for all of his extraordinary ability, 
was not content merely to shut himself in the laboratory and seek 
advances on his own. Instead, he devoted himself to education and 
collaboration, working with students and institutions all over the 
world to broaden his field of his expertise.
  Across the reaches of three continents, he has taught, judged, 
lectured, assessed performance, or designed courses for innumerable 
fellow scientists, peers, educators, and medical students.
  And in so doing, Dr. Cartlidge has broadened America's scientific 
influence, encouraged ingenuity across the globe, and reaffirmed the 
innovative spirit that will lead our country to a prosperous future.
  Dr. Cartlidge seized upon the opportunity to join his natural 
intellect with a world-class education and quickly distinguished 
himself as a singular figure in modern science.
  His is an extraordinary ability, the likes of which are rarely seen 
in this or any other field. We are all grateful that he has dedicated 
himself to such a selfless career in this, most dynamic and innovative 
of nations.
  I commend Dr. Cartlidge for his extraordinary contributions to 
science. I celebrate his role in expanding scientific knowledge across 
the globe. And I thank him for his selfless commitment to the education 
of other professionals in his field, both in the United States and 
across the world.

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