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Dame Vera Lynn, Professor Geoffrey Burnstock, Larry Kramer, Pierre Nkurunziza

Matthew Bannister on neurobiologist Geoffrey Burnstock, campaigner Larry Kramer, President Pierre Nkurunziza, singer Dame Vera Lynn.

Pictured: Dame Vera Lynn

Matthew Bannister on:

Professor Geoffrey Burnstock, the eminent neurobiologist who identified the function of a neurotransmitter called ATP with important implications for the treatment of many conditions including strokes, cancer and cystic fibrosis.

Larry Kramer, the outspoken gay rights campaigner who organised direct action to force the US government to confront the AIDS crisis.

Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of Burundi who used violence to hold on to power after his constitutional term ended.

Dame Vera Lynn, the singer known as 鈥渢he forces鈥 sweetheart鈥 for her songs of hope during the second world war.

Interviewed guest: Professor Mike Spyer
Interviewed guest: Professor Timothy Arnett
Interviewed guest: Peter Tatchell
Interviewed guest: Vava Tampa

Producer: Neil George

Archive clips from: Interview with Geoffrey Burnstock, Queen Mary, University of London 10/03/2008; Meridian, Radio 4 20/06/1995; Arena, 成人快手 Two 05/02/1993; The Late Show, 成人快手 Two 10/10/1989; Pierre Nkurunziza Interview, Woodrow Wilson Center 16/04/2013; Burundi鈥檚 Football President, Journeyman Pictures 17/11/2015; Nkurunziza Wins Disputed Election, Al Jazeera 25/07/2015; Burundi Coup Attempt, 成人快手 News 13/05/2015; Desert Island Discs: Dame Vera Lynn, Radio 4 03/09/1989; The Emma Freud Show, Radio 1 01/01/2000.

Available now

28 minutes

Professor Geoffrey Burnstock

Born 10 May 1929; died 2 June 2020, aged 91.

Last Word spoke to Professor Mike Spyer from the Department of Physiology at UCL and the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, and Timothy Arnett, Professor of Mineralised Tissue Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology at UCL.

Larry Kramer

Born 25 June 1935; died 27 May 2020, aged 84.

Last Word spoke to human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, best known for his work with LGBT social movements.聽

Pierre Nkurunziza

Born 18 December 1964; died 8 June 2020, aged 55.

Last Word spoke to journalist Vava Tampa, founding director of Save the Congo.

Dame Vera Lynn

Born 20 March 1917; died 18 June 2020, aged 103.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 19 Jun 2020 16:00
  • Sun 21 Jun 2020 20:30

Podcast