Gustav Nossal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gustav Nossal
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Nossal at the 5th World Conference of Science Journalists in 2007
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Gustav Victor Joseph Nossal
4 June 1931 Bad Ischl, Austria
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| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BSc), University of Melbourne (PhD) |
| Known for | His contributions to the fields of antibody formation and immunological tolerance |
| Awards | Albert Einstein World Award of Science (1990) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Immunology |
| Institutions | The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne |
| Doctoral students | Michael F. Good |
Sir Gustav Victor Joseph Nossal, born on June 4, 1931, is a famous Australian scientist who was born in Austria. He is known for his important discoveries about how our bodies make antibodies and how our immune system learns to accept certain things. This learning process is called immunological tolerance.
Early Life and Education
Gustav Nossal's family came from Vienna, Austria. He was born early, four weeks before his due date, in Bad Ischl while his mother was on holiday. In 1939, his family left their home in Vienna and moved to Australia. This was because Nazi Germany had taken over Austria. Since his father's grandparents were Jewish, the family was at risk.
Gustav Nossal showed an interest in medicine from a young age, wanting to become a doctor since he was seven. When he first started school in Australia, he did not speak English. However, he worked hard and graduated from St Aloysius' College in 1947 as the top student.
In 1948, he began studying at the Sydney Medical School and later graduated with high honours from the University of Sydney. When he was 26, he moved to Melbourne. There, he worked with another famous scientist, Macfarlane Burnet, at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Gustav Nossal earned his PhD degree from the University of Melbourne in 1960.
Career Highlights
After Macfarlane Burnet retired in 1965, Gustav Nossal became the director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. He was 35 years old at the time. He held this important position until 1996. At the same time, he was also a Professor of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne.
Nossal's main research focused on immunology, which is the study of the immune system. He made big discoveries in how our bodies create antibodies to fight off germs and how the immune system learns to tolerate (or accept) certain things, like our own body parts. He has written five books and over 500 scientific articles about his research.
Sir Gustav Nossal has also held many important leadership roles around the world.
- He was the President of the International Union of Immunological Societies from 1970 to 1973. This is a global group for immunology scientists.
- He was President of the Australian Academy of Science from 1994 to 1998.
- He helped guide the World Health Organization's Vaccines and Biologicals Program from 1993 to 2002.
- He was also Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Council for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Children's Vaccine Program from 1998 to 2003. This program helps get vaccines to children around the world.
- He was Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1998 to 2000.
Personal Life
Gustav Nossal is married to Lyn. They met and married after he finished his medical studies at the University of Sydney. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Gustav Nossal has received many awards and honours for his amazing work in science and for his contributions to the community.
- 1964 – Royal Society of Victoria Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research
- 1967 – Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
- 1970 – Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his work in medical research
- 1977 – He was made a Knight for his important discoveries in immunology.
- 1982 – He became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), a very old and respected scientific group.
- 1989 – He received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his service to medicine, science, and the community. This is one of Australia's highest honours.
- 1990 – He won the Albert Einstein World Award of Science.
- 1996 – He received the Koch Gold Medal for major advances in medical sciences, especially in microbiology and immunology.
- 1997 – He was named one of Australia's Living National Treasures.
- 2000 – He was named Australian of the Year, a very prestigious award.
- 2002 – He was featured on an Australian postage stamp.
- 2007 – The Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne was named after him.
- 2009 – Nossal High School, a school in Melbourne, was named in his honour.
See also
In Spanish: Gustav Nossal para niños
- List of Australian of the Year Award recipients
