Sir
Gustav Nossal (AC KtCBE MB BS BSc(Med) PhD HonMDMainz HonMDNcl
HonMDLeeds HonDScSyd HonDScQld HonLLDMon FRCP FRACP FRACMA FRACOGHon
FRSE FTS PresAA FRS) has been named Australian of the Year for
2000.
Sir Gus Nossal was born in Bad Ischl, Austria
in 1931 and came to Australia with his family in 1939. He studied
Medicine at The University of Sydney and, after two years' residency
at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sir Gus moved to Melbourne
to work as a Research Fellow at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
(the Hall Institute). Sir Gus was knighted in 1977 and made
a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989. Amongst his numerous
honours are fellowship of the Royal Society of London; Foreign
Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences; Member of
the Academie des Sciences, France; the Robert Koch Gold Medal,
the Albert Einstein World Award of Science, and the Emil von
Behring Prize.
His research accomplishments are world-renowned.
His classic work confirming Burnet's theory of antibody formation
was a watershed in understanding the immune system. As researcher
and as Director of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical
Research (WEHI, 1965-96) he has helped build the foundations
of modern immunology while working to improve global health
through his long-term involvement with the World Health Organization
(WHO), most recently as Chairman of the Global Programme for
Vaccines and Immunization.
Sir Gus' influence has formed and shaped the
scientific affairs of Australia for three decades, and continues
to do so. Some of his achievements and involvements include:
_The Cooperative Research Centres Scheme Sir Gus has exerted strong influence on government
policy especially in his years as President of the Australian
Academy of Science, making the comment (30 April, 1998) in :
"The science community over the last decade
has strongly supported government policies re-orienting the
nation's research and development effort towards economic, social
and environmental goals, but there is a risk of this trend going
too far. In particular, basic research within universities at
the cutting edge of fundamental knowledge is threatened by an
unprecedented degree of competitiveness for research grants.
Four-fifths of applications now fail."
As a communicator of science he is unparalleled
- inspiring future generations of scientists through lectures,
radio and television.
He has also been involved in national organisations
of social significance, including his role as deputy chair of
the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
What a great way to enter the New Year. Congratulations
Sir Gustav from Virology Down Under!!
As was reported at: ABC (Australia)
Online News website: (http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/default.htm) |
