Jens Peder Hart Hansen (1936-1998)

Abstract

Jens Peder was born in Copenhagen into a family of outstanding physicians. ... In the family tradition, he won the university's annual gold medal in 1967 for his research on allergy to cow's milk and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Ten years later he defended his doctoral thesis, entitled "Homicide in Denmark 1945 to 1970." Following this interest, he qualified as a specialist in pathology and forensic medicine. In 1975, he became chief of Pathology at Gentofte Hospital near Copenhagen, a position he held until shortly before his death. From 1986 to 1994 he also headed the Anthropological Laboratory attached to the University of Copenhagen. Jens Peder Hart Hansen was highly regarded in these positions, but it was his love of the Arctic and its people that endeared him to so many of us. He served the Arctic well in many different capacities. His scientific work focused on cancer epidemiology and on mummies. He initiated a high-level collaboration of epidemiologists in Alaska, Canada, and the Nordic countries to study cancer in the circumpolar population. ... Jens Peder is an essential part of the Danish Polar Center's history. Another important career milestone was his nomination in 1988 to the Commission for Scientific Research in Greenland, the agency that oversees all research in Greenland, providing both funding and logistical support. ... Jens Peder was respected as a pioneer in Greenlandic research and Arctic medicine. He was acknowledged not only as a scholar, but also as a gentleman and a well-loved and faithful friend. ... Jens Peder received many expressions of gratitude and honour. At the 10th International Conference of Circumpolar Health in Anchorage, Alaska (1996), he received the Jack Hildes Medal for excellence in Arctic medicine as a token of his colleagues' appreciation, gratitude, and admiration. ...