| Citation | Harold Varmus is distinguished for his contributions to the molecular genetics of cancer. His discovery with Michael Bishop in 1976 of natural cellular homologues of retroviral oncogenes led to the award of the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1989. Varmus has made immense contributions to our understanding of retroviruses. Varmus was Director of the National Institutes for Health, 1993-1999. His recent research has illuminated the developmental genetics of human lung cancer. Varmus contributes to international science policy; he is a good friend to British science, spending a sabbatical here, 1978-1979, and helping to evaluate UK research. |