Fellows' biographical memoirs

Christopher John Ash was born on 5 January 1945 at Gorleston, a seaside town adjoining Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. He was an only child. His father, Kenneth William Ash, was the middle of three brothers. The elder brother was a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force who worked on rocket research and the younger was a Captain in the Merchant Navy. Chris’s father was Borough Engineer at Redcar on the North Yorkshire coast. His mother was Joan Evelyn Hadley, who worked at a Quaker school.

Colin Russell Austin, English by birth, initially graduated in Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 1936. The Second World War limited his career options, but he was fortunate to be employed by the CSIRO Division of Animal Health in Sydney. In 1954 he was invited to join the staff of the Medical Research Council’s laboratory in Mill Hill, London to study fertilization and early embryonic development in rats and rabbits.

David Cooper was an internationally renowned immunologist and HIV clinician who spearheaded Australia’s world-leading HIV response.

David Headley Green AM FAA FRS was an outstanding Australian geologist and world leader in experimental petrology and geochemistry.

David James Kemp was a molecular biologist and parasitologist best known for his pioneering malaria research. He co-developed key techniques like Northern blotting and was instrumental in launching the malaria genome project.

David Craig was an outstanding Australian theoretical chemist and served as President of the Academy 1990–94.

Derek Denton led a lifelong quest to understand physiological mechanisms regulating body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. He was a world-leading authority on the regulation of salt and water metabolism and relevant endocrine control mechanisms, and one of Australia's most eminent scientists.

Don Weiss devoted his career to applying science and technology for the benefit of the Australian economy. On the way, he made important contributions to separation science, carbon chemistry, polymer science and process engineering.

Donald Metcalf was a colossus of science who introduced cancer research to the Walter and Eliza Hall of Medical Research, and spent 60 years making discoveries in haematology that changed cancer care for millions of patients worldwide.

Professor Don Metcalf AC FAA FRS was a medical researcher known as the "father of modern haematology," who pioneered the discovery of hormones that regulate blood cell production – benefitting millions of cancer patients around the world.