Eminent scientist Dr Barry Marshall to take up Burnet scholarship at UWA

19/4/98

One of the world's most eminent scientists has returned to the University of Western Australia, where he graduated more than 20 years ago, to take up the prestigious five-year $1.25 million Burnet Scholarship.

Premier Richard Court and Federal Minister for Health and Family Services Dr Michael Wooldridge announced today that Dr Barry Marshall had returned to UWA from the University of Virginia where he was Professor of Research of Internal Medicine.

Dr Marshall, who was born in Kalgoorlie and graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1974, rose to prominence in the early 1980s with his discovery of Helicobacter pylori as the major cause of peptic ulcer disease.

This breakthrough, co-discovered by Dr Robin Warren of Royal Perth Hospital, has since led to the development of drug therapies to treat the disease which attacks the stomach and intestine.

Dr Marshall applied for the National Health Medical Research Council Burnet Fellowship because he wanted to return to Australia, and in particular Perth, to continue his research career in this country.

Mr Court said it was a great privilege to have Dr Marshall continue his research work in Western Australia.

"As a prominent scientist, whose work is respected throughout the world, there is not a better role model for young Western Australians wanting to pursue a career in science," the Premier said.

"Dr Marshall's decision to return to WA will also provide a boost to the State's scientific and research community. It will also contribute to raising the State's international profile in relation to important medical research."

Dr Marshall will use facilities at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to continue his research.

Dr Wooldridge said this was a great honour for Dr Marshall as the Burnet Fellowship was rarely awarded and only to individuals who had an established record in internationally renowned research.

"It is also a great honour for Australia to be able to attract a person of Dr Marshall's credentials back to this country to enable him to contribute to our medical and scientific research effort," Dr Wooldridge said.

"That is the reason the Fellowship was set up in the first place. We have many outstanding scientists, who for one reason or another, leave Australia to pursue their careers overseas.

"If we are to remain the clever country, being able to provide people like Dr Marshall the opportunity to work in Australia is an important step in ensuring our scientific expertise remains in Australia for the benefit of Australians."

Under the NHMRC Burnet fellowship, Dr Marshall will receive $250,000 a year for five years.

Dr Marshall received the WA Achiever Award in this year's Australia Day honours.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475