Conversations with Australian scientists

Professor Frank Caruso completed an honours degree in physical chemistry at the University of Melbourne. In 1994 he received a PhD for his research into the dynamics of molecules. He then took up a postdoctoral fellowship at the CSIRO Division of Chemicals and Polymers to study how to modify surfaces to enable the detection of specific molecules.

Frank Fenner read medicine at the University of Adelaide, receiving Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees in 1938 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1942. He received a Diploma of Tropical Medicine from the University of Sydney in 1940.

Geoffrey Burnstock interviewed by Professor Robyn Williams in July 2008. Geoffrey Burnstock was born in London, England, in 1929. He finished his secondary education at Greenford County Grammar School in 1946 and then spent 1947 doing National Service with the Air Force.

George Ernest Rogers was born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1927. He was educated at the University of Melbourne graduating with a BSc (1949) and MSc (1951). Rogers then went to the University of Cambridge in the UK on a CSIRO scholarship, graduating with a PhD in 1956. He returned to Australia and the Division of Protein Chemistry at CSIRO as a senior research officer (1957–62). He joined the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Adelaide in 1963 where he began as a reader (1963–77), before being promoted to professor (1978–92). Rogers also served as department head from 1988 to 1992. In 1992 Rogers became an emeritus professor at the University of Adelaide and in 1995 he was asked to be the program manager of Premium Quality Wool CRC (1995–2000). During his career Rogers made key findings in the field of hair research. In particular, he looked at the molecular structure of hair keratins and investigated how to manipulate their properties through gene expression and regulation.

George Szekeres was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1911. Although showing an early interest in and talent for mathematics, he studied chemical engineering at the Technological University of Budapest and then worked in a leather factory. In 1939 he fled Europe with his wife, Esther, and spent the war years in Shanghai.

Professor Gordon Ada was a pioneering Australian scientist who advanced virology and immunology through groundbreaking research on influenza, cholera enzymes, and immune responses. He earnt international recognition working for the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and then the John Curtin School at ANU. His contributions to vaccine development, and advisory roles with WHO and Johns Hopkins shaped global health strategies, culminating in a distinguished career that influenced HIV research and immunological theory. Interviewed by Professor Frank Fenner in 1993.

Graeme Clark, born in Camden, NSW in 1935, trained as a medical doctor and specialist in otolaryngology, earning an MBBS, MS, and PhD from the University of Sydney before holding senior surgical roles in Australia and England. He later became professor of otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne, founded the Cochlear Implant Clinic and Bionic Ear Institute, and was recognized with multiple distinguished academic titles for his pioneering work in hearing restoration. Interviewed by Professor Stephen O’Leary in 2011

Professor Hans-Albert Bachor is a German-born Australian research scientist and academic leader. He was born in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, in 1952 and studied Physics in Hannover, where he received his diploma and doctorate.

Professor Hugh Possingham completed a DPhil at Oxford University in 1987 on 'A model of resource renewal and depletion'. He has held appointments at Stanford University, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and the University of Adelaide, doing research on the application of mathematical and computational tools to understanding ecological systems. Interviewed by David Salt in 2002.

Ian Frazer, born in Glasgow in 1953, trained as a physician and immunologist before focusing on human papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer after moving to Australia. His groundbreaking work with Dr Jian Zhou led to the development of the HPV vaccine, and he now serves as CEO and Director of Research at the Translational Research Institute. Interviewed by Robyn Williams in 2008.