Adrienne Clarke facts for kids

Adrienne Elizabeth Clarke (born 6 January 1938) is a very important Australian scientist. She is a professor who studies Botany, which is the science of plants. She worked at the University of Melbourne for many years. Professor Clarke also led the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which is Australia's national science agency. She was also the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria, a special role helping the state government. Later, she became the Chancellor of La Trobe University, a top leader at the university.

Her Early Life and Education

Adrienne Clarke was born in Melbourne, Australia. When she was a student in the 1950s, she faced some challenges because she was a bright girl. She went to Ruyton Girls' School. In 1955, she started studying Science at the University of Melbourne.

University Studies and Research

She earned her first degree in Biological Sciences in 1959. Then, she continued her studies and received her PhD in 1963. After her studies, she worked as a researcher at the University of Melbourne. She also worked at other universities, including Baylor University in the United States and the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

Adrienne Clarke's Career Journey

Professor Clarke returned to the University of Melbourne in 1969. She became a Professor of Botany in 1985. She retired from the university in 2005.

Leading Science and Government

From 1991 to 1996, Adrienne Clarke was the chairman of CSIRO. This is a big role, leading Australia's main science research group. She also served as the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria from 1997 to 2000. This role involves helping the Governor of Victoria and performing official duties for the state.

Leading a University

In 2010, she joined the council of La Trobe University. On 26 February 2011, she became the Chancellor of La Trobe University. The Chancellor is like the head of the university, leading its overall direction. She held this important position until 2017.

Involvement in Business

Professor Clarke also worked with many companies. She was a director for businesses like Western Mining and Woolworths. She also helped start a company called Hexima with her colleagues. This company focuses on agribusiness, which combines farming and business.

Her Amazing Discoveries in Plant Science

Adrienne Clarke's scientific work greatly helped us understand flowering plants. She studied how plants reproduce and grow. Her research led to new ways to protect crops from insects and diseases.

Key Areas of Her Research

Her team was the first to find a special gene that controls how plants can self-pollinate. They also found a specific protein called "arabinogalactan protein."

She focused on these main areas in her research:

• How plants prevent themselves from self-pollinating at a tiny, molecular level.
• The special proteins in plants called arabinogalactan-proteins.
• How to use certain plant proteins to stop insects from growing and harming crops.

She also helped edit important science books about plant chemistry, cell biology, and genetics.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Professor Clarke has received many important awards for her work:

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
• 1991 Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
• 1992 ANZAAS Mueller Medal
• 1993 Outstanding Achievers Award, National Australia Day Council
• 2001 Centenary Medal
• 2001 Victorian Honour Roll of Women
• 2004 Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
• Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (USA)
• Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (USA)

See also

In Spanish: Adrienne Clarke para niños