Sir Gustav Nossal visits Adelaide

Sir Gustav Nossal

Monday, 17 September 2007

Former Australian of the Year, Sir Gustav Nossal, will discuss health breakthroughs in the developing world when he delivers the Florey Annual Lecture at the University of Adelaide on Wednesday 19 September.

One of Australia's most respected and award-winning medical researchers, Sir Gustav has helped shape the national scientific landscape for the past three decades.

His research accomplishments are world-renowned and include significant breakthroughs in modern immunology, for which he was knighted in 1977.

Sir Gustav was named Australian of the Year in 2000 and holds numerous international scientific awards and doctorates, as well as being the author of five books and 530 scientific articles.

The Austrian-born scientist is also well known for his humanitarian work, promoting Aboriginal reconciliation and overseeing projects for the World Health Organisation as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

His University of Adelaide lecture, titled Medical Research and Global Health Reform, will focus on medical research progress in the developing world.

"Real progress has been made in controlling HIV/AIDS, including many new vaccines," he says. "Advances in nutrition and maternal and child health are also noteworthy, and a start has been made in mental health promotion."

On the down side, Sir Gustav says that many 'first world' diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are now a major concern in the developing world.

The Florey Medical Research Foundation, which is sponsoring the free lecture, is the fundraising arm of the University of Adelaide's Medical School. It is named in honour of the School's most distinguished graduate, Nobel prize winner Sir Howard Florey, who developed penicillin and changed the course of medicine.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Fund has raised millions of dollars for high quality and innovative medical research. It also sponsors the Florey Lecture, delivered each year by a distinguished international medical researcher.

The lecture will be held at 5.30pm in the Florey Lecture Theatre, Medical School North Building, Frome Road, University of Adelaide on Wednesday 19 September.

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