Cardiff's tribute to Professor Drasdo

Professor Neville Drasdo's 'festschrift' (from the German 'fest' - celebration and 'schrift' - writing) attracted over 80 delegates and comprised a series of CET accredited lectures presented by some of Professor Drasdo's former colleagues, PhD students and co-authors.
Throughout his academic career, spanning more than 50 years, Professor Drasdo has made enormous and invaluable contributions to vision science research. Through his exceptional academic ability and great character he has become a highly respected and much loved member of the research community.
Professor Drasdo began his academic career in 1961, when he was appointed as lecturer in ophthalmic optics in the Physics Department at the Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, which was later to become Aston University. Through his enthusiasm to promote and extend vision science knowledge, he set up the Master's course in Methods of Ophthalmic Investigation, which eventually achieved the distinction of MRC recognition.
His research interests at that time were on a wide range of subjects, varying from corneal physiology to infant visual development and his collaborations with neurophysiology were instrumental in the formation of the Aston University, Department of Vision Sciences.
During his time as clinical tutor and PhD supervisor, Professor Drasdo successfully turned out 42 MSc and 11 PhD graduates, many of whom have since become successful researchers and academics.
In 1993, Professor Drasdo received the academic degree of Doctor of Science and shortly after almost simultaneously became Dean of Life Sciences at Aston University as well as participating in the Research Assessment exercise.
During more recent years Professor Drasdo moved to the Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences where his research expertise, particularly in the field of electrophysiology, has been an invaluable asset to the department.
Many of the speakers during the event took the opportunity to thank Professor Drasdo for his inspiration, enthusiasm and contributions to their own careers as well as to vision science research.