Richard Caprioli, Ph.D.
Innovations in mass spectrometry land pair of awards for Caprioli
The Second University of Naples, Italy, recently honored Richard Caprioli, Ph.D., with an honoris causa (honorary degree) in Biological Sciences.
The faculty of the Second University nominated Caprioli, Stanley Cohen Professor of Biochemistry and director of the Mass Spectrometry Research Center, for his achievements in mass spectrometry and its applications to the study of bio-molecules and biological processes. In particular, they cited Caprioli's methodological and instrumental innovations, such as the 'imaging mass spectrometry' technique that he pioneered, as examples of his scientific ingenuity.
At the ceremony in June, Caprioli gave the magistralis lectio entitled, “The impact of advanced mass spectrometry on proteomic research in the biological and clinical sciences.” Following his talk, the rector of the Second University of Naples presented Caprioli with the degree.
“I was very honored to receive this degree, made all the more special by the hospitality and warmth of the faculty there,” Caprioli said. “The ceremony itself was majestic, taking place in the amphitheater of the palace of King Ferdinand in Caserta, just outside Naples. For a day, I was a student again, and it was a great feeling.”
In May, Caprioli also received the 11th annual Donald S. Coffey Award from the Society for Basic Urologic Research at the society's annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The award was initiated in 1992 in honor of Donald S. Coffey, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who has made landmark contributions to the field of prostate cancer research.
The award is presented annually at the Society for Basic Urological Research spring meeting to recognize outstanding researchers.
As this year's recipient, Caprioli addressed the conference in a talk entitled “Direct imaging and profiling of proteins in tissues using mass spectrometry to aid diagnosis and treatment of disease and to identify therapeutic targets.”
“I was more than a bit surprised since I do not work directly in urological research, at least in a major way,” Caprioli said.
“However, it is gratifying to know that some of my recent work might have an impact in this field, and I felt honored to be the recipient of this award.”