Professor Emeritus Kenneth "Ken" Magnus was an applied chemist who made significant contributions to the study of chemistry and STEM subjects and to the development of The University of the West Indies and Jamaica. Graduating with a B.Sc. first class honours in 1952, he was one of the first graduates of the then University College of the West Indies. His research was varied from sugar-cane to bauxite processing to the isolation of an antibiotic - Monamycin (together with the first head of the Chemistry Dept. Professor Cedric Hasall, from New Zealand) which was patented in Canada, Germany and the UK. Major work on Monamycin led to the development of the drug cilazapril which is still widely used in the treatment of hypertension. During his tenure as Head of the Chemistry Department (1977 to 1986) recognising the importance of Information Technology, he fostered its development in the Department. Later as Dean of the then, Faculty of Natural Sciences (1985 – 1993) he lead the computerisation of the Faculty office and student record management. His approach to technology led to the evolution of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, now Faculty of Science and Technology. Not surprisingly, the Chemistry Department’s website (http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm) became in 1994, the first website in the Caribbean. Between 1969 and 1970, he helped develop the science curriculum for Jamaica's primary and secondary schools contributing to the early development of STEM education in Jamaica. For this and the national impact of his service at The UWI, he was awarded Jamaica's Order of Distinction, Commander Class in addition to other awards such as the Silver Musgrave Medal.
Professor Kenneth Magnus
Chemistry
Deceased
Jamaica
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