John Savory, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus of Pathology

email: js2r@virginia.edu

John Savory B.Sc., Ph.D., DABCC has a wide range of interests in clinical chemistry, toxicology and experimental neuropathology. Born in Lancashire, England he was educated at Durham University in the United Kingdom where he obtained both his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. He then immigrated to the United States in 1961 obtaining postdoctoral training in chemistry at the University of Florida and in 1964 in clinical chemistry at the University of Washington. He spent one year as a research chemist in the Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC and subsequently he held academic positions at the University of Florida (1966 – 1972), University of North Carolina (1972 – 1977) and finally at the University of Virginia from 1977 onwards. In these academic positions he was Director of the Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology Laboratories and, in later years at the University of Virginia, he was also Director of the Clinical Core Laboratories. He retired fully in 2005 and has recently authored an award-winning book on the development of the modern Irish Setter. He has been active in research throughout his career, focusing initially on automation development and informatics.  He carried out pioneering work on automation of immunoassays and also on applications of centrifugal analysis.  However, it is in the area of metal toxicology that he has made the most significant impact, especially concentrating on aluminum neurotoxicology.  In later years he extended his work into experimental neuropathology, investigating mechanisms of neurodegeneration particularly focusing on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.  He has published 258 full-length papers, 107 book chapters, 6 books, 205 abstracts and has 4 patents. His awards include: Clinical Scientist of the Year, Association of Clinical Scientists, 1977; Bernard F. Gerulat Memorial Award, American Association of Clinical Chemistry New Jersey Section, 1982; Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Chemistry, American Association of Clinical Chemistry,1983; National Lectureship Award, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, 1984; Award for Excellence, North Carolina Section of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, 1991; Gold Headed Cane, Association of Clinical Scientists, 2013.