Commemorative issue in honour of Jan van der Leun, 14 June 1928–6 July 2016

This commemorative issue is in honour of the memory and achievements of Jan van der Leun, as an eminent biophysicist and warm-hearted colleague and friend. While he will be remembered for his internationally recognised work on photobiology of the skin, his legacy extends beyond the clinic and laboratory. In the mid-1970s Jan started to direct his expertise, passion, and dedicated service to the protection of the stratospheric ozone layer, focusing first on the biological implications, in particular skin cancer. He was appointed as the first Co-Chair of the UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel from the time of the adoption of the Montreal Protocol for the phasing out of the substances that were depleting the ozone layer. His many prestigious awards testify to his ability, and wide recognition of the importance of his work. Some of these awards include the Global Ozone Award, Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement, Vienna Convention award, the Finsen Medal, and the European Society for Photobiology (ESP) Medal for long, dedicated and outstanding scientific contribution within the field of photobiology. Jan was also knighted in the Order of the Dutch Lion by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for his “scientific work and for applying the results for the sake of the environment”.

The papers written for this commemorative issue pay tribute to Jan van der Leun and his dedication to communicating the science and political implications of the environmental effects of a depleted stratospheric ozone layer. The papers by and large cover Jan's wide photobiological interest from basic biology to epidemiological and ecological impacts.

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