One of the University of Queensland's most highly regarded academics will be honoured by associates and colleagues in a two-day tribute next month.
A Festschrift will be held for Professor Mervyn Eadie AO, at the Westpac Auditorium, Bancroft Centre, Royal Brisbane Hospital, on October 9 and 10.
The eminent physician and scientist, who has headed the University's Medicine Department since 1994, will end an association of more than 40 years with the University when he retires on December 31.
This includes service on both the University's Academic Board and Senate, and chairmanship of bodies such as the Research Committee and the Human
Experimentation Ethical Review Committee (1991-95).
He is also known for his encouragement of PhD students, having been involved in the University's graduate training program for the past two decades.
Professor Eadie, who became an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 1992, is an internationally-respected expert in the field of clinical neurology and neuropharmacology, particularly in relation to the treatment of epilepsy and migraine.
He has authored or co-authored more than 17 books, 61 book chapters, and 283 journal articles.
He was chair of the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee for eight years and remains on the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Professor Eadie graduated MBBS (honours II) from the University in 1955, and was awarded his MD in 1962 and his PhD in 1969.
He became a member of the Royal Australian College of Physicians in 1959, a fellow in 1968 and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh by direct election in 1984.
A senior neurologist at the Royal Brisbane Hospital since 1961 and at Royal Children's Hospital until 1973, Professor Eadie has been associated with the University's Medicine Department since the early 1960s, firstly as a part-time research fellow, then as a half-time reader, and as professor of clinical neurology and neuropharmacology since 1977.
Dr Wayne Hooper, a close friend and colleague, said Professor Eadie also held two lesser-known local academic records, for the largest number of research papers written while watching the cricket on weekends at the University No. 1 Oval and also for the most text book and monograph drafts written while at the beach on summer vacation with his family.
Dr Hooper said Professor Eadie's associates were constantly amazed by the vast output of work from a man he described as "a mild-mannered, humble, self-effacing individual who has never engaged in any kind of self-promotion."
"He has never paraded his achievements. He is the ultimate quiet achiever, an exceptional teacher with an encyclopaedic knowledge who has trained a great number of higher degree students," he said.
"One of his most notable traits is that he is a very busy and productive person. He can take on any number of things without breaking his stride or becoming flustered or hurried."
Professor Eadie's Festschrift will include tributes from University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ted Brown and medical superintendent of Royal Brisbane Hospital Dr Ian Wilkey.
It will also feature lectures by some of Australia's leading neurologists and experts in a range of fields, including epilepsy, migraine, clinical pharmacology and multiple sclerosis.
Professor Eadie will chair a debate on the topic: Australia still needs its own drug regulatory system.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay will speak at a dinner to honour Professor Eadie at the University Staff and Graduates Club on Thursday, October 9. Melbourne senior neurologist Dr Peter Bladin will also be a guest speaker.
The Festschrift will conclude on October 10 with an hour-long series of recollections and reflections by Professor Eadie.
For more information contact Dr Hooper, telephone (07) 3365 5305.
