UQ neurobiologist elected Fellow of the Royal Society

A University of Queensland researcher has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, joining the ranks of eminent scientists from around the world.

Neurobiologist Professor Barry Dickson from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute said he was honoured to be elected a Fellow of such an esteemed society.

“It is incredibly humbling to be elected to the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence,” Professor Dickson said.

“I appreciate the recognition for our contribution to basic science – remembering that every therapy and every technology we value today had its roots in basic science.”

Over 30 years as a researcher, Professor Dickson has made key advances in the field of neuroscience, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge about the brain.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said Professor Dickson was an outstanding scientist, widely respected for his research on understanding animal instincts.

“His research delivers new understanding of the connection between genes, environment and behaviour and has had huge impact in the field of neurobiology,” Professor Terry said.

“I warmly congratulate and commend Professor Dickson on achieving this singular honour in world science.”

QBI Executive Director Professor Pankaj Sah said Professor Dickson had made significant contributions to our understanding of the world around us.

“He is particularly known for his studies of fruit fly mating behaviour, which is helping us to uncover how the brain processes information and makes decisions,” Professor Sah said.

“Professor Dickson was the first to identify neurons and circuits in the fly brain that underpin the male and female mating instincts.

“He continues to push the boundaries of possibility in research and industry collaboration.”

The Fellowship of the Royal Society is made up of the most eminent scientists, engineers and technologists from the UK and the Commonwealth.

Past Fellows include luminaries such as Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein.

Professor Dickson is one of 90 Fellows announced today and joins 5 UQ academics previously elected to the Royal Society – Emeritus Professor Gerard Milburn, Professor Peter Visscher, Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer, Professor David Craik and Emeritus Professor Srini Srinivasan