Professor Jock Findlay awarded Honorary Degree

Hudson Institute Distinguished Scientist and reproductive health research leader Professor Jock Findlay, AO, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from The University of Adelaide.

Professor Findlay, a graduate of the University of Adelaide, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) alongside eminent Australians at a graduation ceremony last week.

The degree acknowledges Prof Findlay’s exceptionally distinguished service to society in scientific achievement, leadership and training in the field of reproductive biology, in professional leadership in science and medicine to the WHO and NHMRC.

“I consider this honorary doctorate to be a pinnacle of my career. It recognises the national and international contributions to my research field which could not have been achieved without the significant contributions of my mentors, colleagues, students and family,” Professor Findlay said.

An honorary degree is the highest honour conferred by the University. It is awarded without the need for completion of the usual requirements of the degree – honoris causa is ‘for the sake of the honour’ in Latin.

Prof Findlay joined Hudson Institute (then Prince Henrys Institute) in 1979 and leads the Ovarian Biology Laboratory. He has published over 280 research papers and is internationally renowned for his research in reproductive biology.

Prof Findlay has made novel contributions to understanding the regulation of the ovary and uterus, which have proven important to the field of animal and human fertility.

Raised on a sheep station near Broken Hill, in the far west of New South Wales, Prof Findlay was a student at the University of Adelaide from 1962-1970, during which time he graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours and completed his PhD.

“My alma mater taught me not just the fundamentals of biology, but also how to think, how to generate evidence-based facts through research and how to evaluate new technologies and discoveries. This background set me on a career path in research, in my case in reproductive physiology,” Prof Findlay said.

Prof Findlay was recognised with the honorary degree alongside former Foreign Affairs Minister, The Honourable Alexander Downer, AC, and Professor Jane Stapleton, an international leader in tort and personal injury law.