Melburnian of the year
LEADING HIV scientist Professor Sharon Lewin was named Melburnian of the Year by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle at a gala ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall.
The prestigious honour from the City of Melbourne comes after her successful role as co-chair at the International Aids Conference in July and the recent launch of the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, which she is spearheading.
Lewin told The AJN that it has been an exciting but “exhausting” year for her career.
“I am honoured and embarrassed because the work I did for the award, largely the work for the conference, is very much a team effort but I am very, very honoured to be given the award.”
She said this accolade provides her a chance to shine a spotlight on Melbourne’s top notch research facilities and medical treatments.
“I’d like to really use the award to raise visibility around medical research in Melbourne and relating to the fantastic work that is done here in relation to HIV and infectious diseases and really across the board and I think that is something Melburnians should be proud of.”
Doyle described Lewin as “a leader and an inspiration” for her contribution, dedication and research in finding a cure for HIV.
“It gives me great pleasure to bestow the honour of 2014 Melburnian of the Year to Professor Sharon Lewin who is one of the world’s most influential campaigners and researchers working towards a cure for HIV,” said Doyle.
He continued, “Professor Lewin is passionate about her work and her city which was evident as she awed us all with her performance as co-chair of the 20th International AIDS conference in Melbourne earlier this year.”
Peter Doherty, after whom the Doherty Institute is named, congratulated Lewin and said, “Sharon is an outstanding Melburnian and continues to make a remarkable contribution to science through her research in HIV, as well as for mentoring and inspiring younger generations to follow in her footsteps.”
ZOE KRON
Professor Sharon Lewin was named Melburnian of the Year.
comments