Professor Frank Gannon is an international thought leader and researcher. His contributions have been recognised by election to EMBO, Acadamiae Europaeae, Royal Irish Academy, European Academy of Cancer Sciences, Mexican Academy of Medicine and Honorary doctorates from three universities. He leads a major medical research Institute active in discovery and translational research. His research has ranged from the isolation of one of the first eukaryote genes to the provision of new insights on the control of gene expression, based on studies of the estrogen receptor. He has also contributed over 100 editorials on topics of relevance to science and society.