News Archive

A world-renowned clinician scientist from the Lung Institute of Western Australia (LIWA) has been awarded the Art and Science of Medicine Gold Medal by the South African Medical Association.

Professor Kanti Bhoola received the honour in recognition of his pursuit of excellence in scientific research, in extending the frontiers of medicine, and for his ethical conduct, perceptive mentorship and nurturing stewardship in a career extending over half a century.

It is a culmination of a career that took him from his parent's farm in Natal, South Africa to Ireland, England, Germany and Australia.

Professor Bhoola is an adjunct professor at The University of Western Australia, senior research fellow in the inflammation, immunology and cancer unit at LIWA and honorary professor at the University of Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Director Professor Philip Thompson said Professor Bhoola had committed himself to a life of academia and medicine and was always keen to support young scientists.

Professor Bhoola's higher education career began at University College Dublin in Ireland where he undertook a degree in medicine.  He also completed a Bachelor of Science degree graduating with first class honours, and a Doctorate of Medicine. He was later awarded a PhD from University College London.

His career as a medical scientist began while working in the National Health Service at the Middlesex Medical School and led to a clinical research training fellowship with the Medical Research Council UK.

In 1992 he returned to South Africa, where he spent almost a decade as professor and head of the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Natal, Durban.

Professor Thompson said Professor Bhoola was more than an excellent scientist and researcher; he was an enthusiastic mentor who had the natural ability to inspire others.

"We are honoured, and proud, that he has chosen to continue his internationally recognised research career with LIWA," he said.

Media references

Professor Kanti Bhoola (+61 4) 48 807 477
Andrea Jones (LIWA)  (+61 8)  9346 4758  /  (+61 4) 04 947 893
Simone Hewett (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 7977  /  (+61 4) 20 790 097