Monash honours leader in biomedicine

Dr Neville McCarthy, considered by many to be one of the most influential individuals in Australian industrial biomedical sciences, was last week presented with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa by the chancellor Mr Jerry Ellis at a graduation ceremony at Robert Blackwood Hall.

Dr McCarthy has maintained an association with Monash throughout his distinguished career, including as an honorary research associate in the Department of Community Medicine, as a research fellow in the Department of Administrative Studies, and during his time as managing director of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL).

After his retirement from CSL in 1991, Dr McCarthy continued as managing director of Coselco Mimotypes Proprietary Limited, the first enterprise to be established at the Monash Science Park in Blackburn Road.

Through his chairmanship of the Monash IVF group of companies since 1995, Dr McCarthy has aided the significant research support of scientists at Monash University.

He is currently the executive director of the biotechnology company Autogen, which includes among its portfolio of research projects two studies based at Monash on diabetes and allergic diseases.

In 1984, Dr McCarthy was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for distinguished service of a high degree, particularly as director of the CSL, and for service to the community.

Monash chancellor Mr Jerry Ellis with Dr Neville McCarthy.

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Volta Medal to Monash academic

Last month, the director of Monash's Unesco International Centre for Engineering Education, Associate Professor Zenon J. Pudlowski, was awarded the Volta Silver Medal by the northern Italian University of Pavia on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the invention of the electric battery by physicist Professor Alessandro Volta.

The invention of the battery by Volta revoluntionised science and laid the foundation for the advancement of electrical engineering.

The commemorative medal was awarded to Associate Professor Pudlowski for his contribution to the success of the International Symposium of Electromagnetic Fields of Electrical Engineering - ISEF 1999.

ISEF was one of a series of international gatherings held in 1999 to commemorate Volta's invention and was attended by 150 participants from more than 30 countries.