FED:Fellowship commemorates Frank Fenner

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2010
FED:Fellowship commemorates Frank Fenner

CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - The federal government has created a research fellowship to
commemorate the life of acclaimed medical scientist Frank Fenner.

The virologist, who is to be honoured with a state memorial service in Canberra on
Friday afternoon, died last month aged 95.

Labor minister Mark Butler says a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
fellowship would be awarded to a researcher whose work "reflects Professor Fenner's achievements
in international health".

Prof Fenner oversaw the global elimination of smallpox under a program championed by
the World Health Organisation and was instrumental in controlling Australia's rabbit plague
through the introduction of the myxoma virus.

Mr Butler said the NHMRC fellowship did more than simply recognise Prof Fenner's work.

"It demonstrates the Australian government's commitment to providing opportunities
for highly qualified researchers to remain in Australia, allowing them to focus on health
issues of national and international importance," he said in a statement.

AAP jcd/psm/

KEYWORD: FENNER

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