Sunlight and Us by Professor John Hawk offers an enlightening journey into the profound and diverse effects of sunlight on human health and the environment. Drawing from his extensive career in dermatological photobiology, Hawk delves into the origins of sunlight, its vital role in our lives, and its dual nature as both a giver of life and a potential hazard.
Through engaging narratives and scientific insights, Hawk navigates the complexities of sunlight's impact on skin health, the intricacies of Vitamin D synthesis, and the global challenge of climate change. This work not only pays homage to the sun's omnipresent influence but also underscores the delicate balance humanity must maintain with this powerful star.
Author Biography:
Professor John Hawk, BSc, MD, FRCP, FRACP Hon, FACD, FRSA was Emeritus professor of dermatological photobiology at the St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College, London. He trained medically, after being very near the top in the New Zealand end-of-school national scholarship examinations, at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand and dermatologically at the St John's Institute of Dermatology, London, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. He has written multiple scientific papers, chapters and books, was for years a major dermatological journal editor, has been on many journal editorial boards, lectures extensively worldwide, initiated the English care-in-the-sun campaign, leading to his invited appearance in or on many frontline newspaper articles, radio and television programmes and even magazines, helping prevent many skin cancer deaths there and worldwide thereby. He revolutionised thought and treatment concerning the 30 or so non-cancer skin diseases caused by sunlight, reclassifying them, and frequently appeared in the public media on dermatological matters. He was the British Photodermatology Group founder and president, American Photomedicine Society's co-founder, European Society for Photodermatology's co-founder, president and Honorary Life Member, member of the prestigious American Dermatological Association and European Dermatology Forum invited member, 1990 Dermatology in the year 2000 International Conference Organising Committee Chairman, 2005 EADV Congress Deputy President, 2003 - 2006 EADV Scientific Committee President, UK Advertising Standards Authority Adviser, UK Statutory Committees Adviser, including NICE on Vitamin D, President of the Edinburgh 2014 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin, International Vice-President of the Sydney 2018 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin, and was an honorary fellow of a number of international dermatological societies. He was also a consulting physician to the migration department of the New Zealand High Commission for 23 years, is a member of the invitation-only Cook Society of academics and businessmen with Australasian and British interests and finally has been a very keen amateur cosmologist since childhood, had many sporting and cultural interests, being a life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club, member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, former member of the Wentworth Golf Club, a keen skier and also speaking fluent French and excellent German. Professor John Hawk passed away 25th December 2022 and this book represents his final work.
