Richard Charles Garratt
Richard Garratt has been on the academic staff of the São Carlos Institute of Physics since 1992. As a biological scientist by training, he is almost unique in Brazil for holding the position of full professor in a physics department. His post-graduate training was undertaken in crystallography and allied spectroscopic techniques at Birkbeck College in London during the ‘80s. He subsequently moved to the University of São Paulo in 1989 where he was instrumental in establishing the first protein crystallography laboratory in Brazil and possibly Latin America. He also actively participated in the proposal which led to the construction of the first protein crystallography synchrotron radiation beamline in the southern hemisphere.
His interests span many aspects of structural biology but principally the use of protein crystallography and homology modeling in the understanding of a wide range of biological phenomena at the molecular level. He has worked on glycolytic enzymes, superoxide dismutases and purine salvage enzymes from topical parasites as well as on lectins, giant hemoglobins (erythrocruorins) and more recently on filament-forming GTPases known as septins. Work on the fatty-acid transport molecule Sm14 from the blood fluke has led to the most promising human vaccine candidate for a helminth so far developed in Latin America. Furthermore, his interests in the teaching of structural biology have led to the development of pedagogical aids including unique physical cartoon-style models (Protein Folder) and a ‘periodic table’ of domain folds (The Protein Chart).
His laboratory is the only Latin American participant within the International Network of Protein Engineering Centers (INPEC) and he represents Brazil within CeBEM (The Structural Biology Center of the Mercosul). He is a full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the State of São Paulo.
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IUPAP Support for Free Circulation of Scientists / Policy on Harassment
The CCP4 2020 workshop supports the International Union of Pure and Applied Physicists (IUPAP) Policy on Free Circulation of Scientists and the IUPAP policy statement on harassment at conferences.
Free Circulation of Scientists: The principle of the Universality of Science is fundamental to scientific progress. This principle embodies freedom of movement, association, expression and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to data, information and research materials. In pursuing its objectives with respect to the rights and responsibilities of scientists, the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) actively upholds this principle, and, in so doing, opposes any discrimination on the basis of such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political stance, gender, or age. IUPAP should only sponsor conferences and events at institutions and in countries that uphold this principle. If scientists are excluded from attending IUPAP-sponsored international conferences by a host institution or country on the basis of any of these factors, IUPAP should register its concern at the highest level of that institution or country, and should not sponsor any future events in that country until such exclusions have been eliminated. [ Section 1. (http://iupap.org/sponsored-conferences/conference-policies/)]
Harrassment at Conferences: It is the policy of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) that all participants in Union, and Union-endorsed activities will enjoy an environment which encourages the free expression and exchange of scientific ideas, and is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The conference organisers will name an advisor who will consult with those who have suffered from harassment and who will suggest ways of redressing their problems, and an advisor who will counsel those accused of harassment. The conference organisers may, after due consideration, take such action they deem appropriate, including warning or expulsion from the conference without refund. [Section 4 IUPAP Conference Policies , weblink (http://iupap.org/sponsored-conferences/conference-policies/)]
Gender balance and the IUCr
The International Union of Crystallography strives to achieve gender balance in all its institutions and activities bearing in mind other diversity needs and its existing obligations to geographic and academic discipline representation where appropriate. To achieve this aim the IUCr will adopt procedures to promote gender balance in respect of all of its activities including selection of candidates for positions on its Committees and Commissions. Those seeking support from the Union for Congresses, meetings, workshops and schools will also have to demonstrate their efforts to address gender balance.