NHMRC fellowship recognises contribution of Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner AC CMG MBE

The enormous achievements of Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner will be commemorated by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) fellowship in honour of the pioneering researcher.

“The NHMRC’s Frank Fenner Early Career Fellowship recognises Professor Fenner’s outstanding contribution to health and medical research in Australia during a distinguished career,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Mental Health and Aging.

“This fellowship will be awarded to Early Career Fellows, identified through the NHMRC’s highly competitive peer-review process, whose research reflects Professor Fenner’s achievements in international health.”

Amongst a lifetime of achievement, Professor Fenner is best known for his groundbreaking research that led to the eradication of smallpox and the introduction of the myxoma virus to control Australia’s rabbit plagues.

“A state memorial will commemorate Professor Fenner. It is important that we also reflect on the extent to which his health and medical research brought benefits far beyond improvements in the health system.

“Professor Fenner’s work with the World Health Organisation led to eradication of smallpox, which remains the only disease to have been wiped out. This brought an enormous social and economic benefit as smallpox is estimated to be responsible for 300-500 million deaths during the 20th century.

“The NHMRC fellowship does more than commemorate Professor Fenner. It demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for highly qualified researchers to remain in Australia, allowing them to focus on health issues of national and international importance,” Butler said.

The first NHMRC Frank Fenner Early Career Fellowship will be announced in 2011.