Australian biomedical scientist (1951–2023)
Alan Mackay-Sim AM (16 May 1951 – 4 January 2023) was an Australian biomedical scientist specialising in adult stem cell research, and winner of the 2017 Australian of the Year . Some of his research focused on olfactory ensheathing cells ,[ 1] which are cells in the human nose that interact with the nervous system to cause a sense of smell.
His research into stem cells contributed to the treatment of spinal cord injuries. The restoration of mobility to Darek Fidyka , a Polish paraplegic man, used research by Mackay-Sim.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Academic and professional life [ edit ] Mackay-Sim received his PhD from Macquarie University in 1980,[ 5] then subsequently studied at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Wyoming .[ 3]
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it . (January 2023)
Mackay-Sim was the director of the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research at Griffith University before his retirement in 2015.[ 6]
Mackay-Sim was born on 16 May 1951.[ 7] He grew up in Roseville, New South Wales ,[ 3] the third of four brothers.[ 8] He attended North Sydney Boys High School .[ 9]
Mackay-Sim was married, with two children.[ 8]
In 2015,[ 10] he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma , and was treated with stem cell transplant .[ 6] [ 11] [ 12]
Mackay-Sim retired in 2015, and lived in Currimundi, Queensland .[ 8] He died on 4 January 2023, at the age of 71.[ 13] [ 14] [ 15]
^ Chehrehasa, Fatemeh; Ekberg, Jenny A. K.; Lineburg, Katie; Amaya, Daniel; Mackay-Sim, Alan; St. John, James A. (November 2011). "Two phases of replacement replenish the olfactory ensheathing cell population after injury in postnatal mice". Glia . 60 (2): 322–32. doi :10.1002/glia.22267 . hdl :10072/45582 . PMID 22065423 . S2CID 7490951 .
^ a b "Champion for stem cell use named Australian of the Year" . ABC News . 25 January 2017.
^ a b c Knott, Matthew (25 January 2017). "Scientist whose miracle made a paraplegic walk again named Australian of the Year" . Sydney Morning Herald.
^ "Australian of the Year is injury research pioneer Alan Mackay-Sim" . BBC. 25 January 2017.
^ a b "Curriculum vitae" . Griffith University. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017 .
^ a b "Australian of the Year winner: Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim" . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017 .
^ "Family Notices" . The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 35, 382. New South Wales, Australia. 17 May 1951. p. 20. Retrieved 25 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia .
^ a b c Susan Johnson (20 January 2017). "Professor Alan Mackay-Sim is dedicated to spreading the word on medical research" . The Courier Mail . Retrieved 26 January 2017 .
^ NSBHS Higher School Certificate 1969
^ Emily Brooks (25 January 2017). "Meet The New Australian Of The Year: Professor Alan Mackay-Sim" . Huffington Post . Retrieved 26 January 2017 .
^ Stephanie Bedo (22 January 2017). "The remarkable scientist making new life connections" . Griffith University. Retrieved 26 January 2017 .
^ "Myeloma: I am ready to enjoy each day more" . Leukaemia Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017 .
^ Tributes for Coast-based researcher who paved the way for treatments of several conditions
^ Dobson, Ben (4 January 2023). "Vale: Griffith farewells Alan Mackay-Sim, a titan of science" . Griffith University . Retrieved 4 January 2023 .
^ "Trailblazing 'titan' of science and former Australian of the Year Alan Mackay-Sims has died" . ABC News . 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023 .
^ "Queen's Birthday 2021 Honours – the full list" . Sydney Morning Herald . Nine Entertainment Co. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 .
^ "Professor Alan Mackay-Sim" . It's An Honour . Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 .
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s