Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor has congratulated Professor Emeritus Alan Mackay-Sim on being named the 2017 Australian of the Year.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister, The Honourable Malcom Turnbull MP, at a gala ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on 25January.
“Griffith University is extremely proud to have such a remarkable man and scientist among us,” Professor O’Connor said.
As the former Director of the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research, and Professor Emeritus at the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Alan has spent his career looking at the regenerative properties of stem cells and how these can be used to repair damaged spinal cords.
His research has laid the foundation for global efforts in what is truly an extraordinary field.
Professor O’Connor also offered his warm congratulations to other members of the Griffith community awarded Australia Day honours.
Professor Bill Lovegrove, former Deputy Vice Chancellor at Griffith from 1998-2003, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to leadership in the tertiary education sector, to developing academia in regional areas, and to cooperative research in a variety of fields.The Hon.
Anna Bligh, an Honorary Doctor of the University, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her eminent service to the Parliament of Queensland, particularly as Premier, to infrastructure development and education reform, as an advocate for the role of women in public life, and to the not-for-profit sector.
Rio gold medallists: Emma McKeon (swimming, Public Health student), Madison Wilson (swimming, Social Work student), Shannon Parry (rugby sevens, Education graduate) and Katie (Katherine) Kelly (paralympic triathlon – Arts graduate). Emma, Madison, Shannon and Katie were each awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Professor Ronald Woods, Visiting Professor in Griffith’s School of Natural Sciences, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to science, particularly in the field of electrochemistry.