Dianne Webster

Recipient of the Robert Guthrie Award 2008

Dr.Dianne Rosemary Webster studied chemistry at the University of Auckland (New Zealand; 1972) and received her PhD from the University of London (UK; 1981). She worked as research assistant and later as post-doctoral fellow on orotic aciduria and on the purine/pyrimidine metabolism. She became involved in neonatal screening in 1991, as director of the National Testing Centre, Auckland District Health Board and was also involved as senior lecturer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland School of Medicine.

Dr Webster has served in various capacities in several professional societies, notably the ISNS but also the Human Genetics Society Australasia. She has been instrumental to set up a complete neonatal screening-diagnostic programme within New Zealand involving all relevant professional disciplines, recently expanded with hearing screening.

She has been involved in the organisation of many meetings and has been invited as a plenary speaker many times.

Dussault
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On Dec 8, 2009 the recipient received her award. From left to right: ISNS President Dr.J.Gerard Loeber, Dr.Dianne Webster, Mr.Jan Ostrup (PerkinElmer/Wallac).
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The recipient expresses her appreciation. On New Year’s Eve 2019 Dianne Webster was appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contributions to improve child health.