Ian Frazer belongs to the medical record as a figure whose work changed what could be treated.
The record lists Ian Frazer as British–Australian immunologist.
Ian Frazer was born at Glasgow in 1953. His recorded nationality is Australia. He trained at University of Edinburgh and George Watson's College.
Antibiotics, imaging and the randomised trial defined twentieth-century medicine; evidence replaced authority as the standard.
His posts were held at University of Queensland.
Medicine advances against a moving target, and its successes are counted in lives rather than papers.
Recognition followed: Fellow of the Royal Society (2011), Balzan Prize (2008), Florey Medal (2006) and Novartis Prize for Clinical Immunology (2007).
That the work was done from Australia matters: hospitals, training and research funding are unevenly distributed, and they decide which questions can be asked.
Ian Frazer is still working, and the assessment of the contribution is not yet complete.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society — 2011
- Balzan Prize — 2008
- Florey Medal — 2006
- Novartis Prize for Clinical Immunology — 2007
- Held posts at University of Queensland
