Academics, politicians and health care workers are among those paying homage to a pioneering research scientist and 2017 Australian of the Year, who died on Wednesday.
Tributes are being made to Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, who died aged 71.
Professor Mackay-Sim, who lived at Currimundi, led the way in stem-cell research.
His research on nasal cells led to the development of new treatments for conditions like damaged spinal cords, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and motor neurone disease.
Decades of work led to a successful world-first human clinical trial, which demonstrated that transplanting therapeutic nasal cells into the spinal cord was safe.
Professor Mackay-Sim graduated from Macquarie University in 1980 and taught and studied at the University of Wyoming and the University of Adelaide, before settling at the University of Griffith in 1987, where he held many roles and led groundbreaking research.
He was recognised as Queenslander of the Year twice (2003 and 2017) and Australian of the Year in 2017.
Griffith University paid tribute to “one of its finest” on the institution’s website.
Professor James St John said he was fortunate to learn from and work with Professor Mackay-Sim.
“Alan will be remembered as an exceptional mentor, irrespective of the experience level of those around him. From undergraduate students to seasoned academics he was always willing to generously share his own research and life experiences,” he said via a Griffith news release.
Griffith’s Dr Alex Cristino said Professor Mackay-Sim “embraced all knowledge” and “was a trailblazer in the fields of neurological diseases and stem cell research”.
The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation said he “will be missed by many”.
“Professor Alan Mackay-Sim was a visionary and his legacy will live on forever,” the group said via social media.
The Australian of the Year Awards also posted a heartfelt message.
“Many were touched by Professor Mackay-Sim’s care and dedication to his work, not least during his time as Australian of the Year. His significant achievements will continue to help many for years to come,” it said.
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson was among those to pay tribute.
“Professor Mackay-Sim was a world-leading pioneer in stem-cell research and made significant contributions to understanding the human brain and how it functions – he chose the Sunshine Coast to be his home,” she said on social media.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.”
After he received the Australian of the Year Award in 2017, Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the community was “enormously proud” of him.
“We are deeply respectful of the important contribution he has made to the lives of so many people,” he said.
“The acknowledgement of the work of Professor Mackay-Sim also sends a very strong signal to our young Sunshine Coast residents about the endless possibilities that can be explored by choosing to pursue a career in health and medical research.”
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