UQ’s ‘Frazer Institute’ honours retiring vaccine co-inventor

Ian Frazer standing in front of a sandstone building wearing a suit and tie

The University of Queensland has recognised the outstanding contribution to society of medical researcher and philanthropist Ian Frazer AC by renaming the UQ Diamantina Institute in his honour.

Now an Emeritus Professor at the University after stepping down from his academic appointment, the Scottish-born Australian researcher has begun a transition to retirement.

Together with his former research partner, the late Dr Jian Zhou, Emeritus Professor Frazer co-invented a world-first HPV vaccine which has already protected millions of women from cervical cancer.

Dr Jian Zhou smiling broadly

Dr Jian Zhou

Dr Jian Zhou

Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said it was a privilege to have one of the pre-eminent medical scientists of our time on staff at UQ for more than three decades.

“Ian’s contribution, and that of his late research partner Dr Zhou, have exemplified what we should all strive for in academia,” Professor Terry said.

“Their work has truly made a difference, with the very real possibility that in the future, deaths from cervical cancer will be almost unheard of.

“Both Ian and Dr Zhou’s family have campaigned to have the vaccine rolled out equitably around the world and they are also deeply committed to giving back to their communities.”

Ian Frazer in a laboratory wearing a white coat. He is standing with his arms crossed and smiling.

The Institute is home to nearly 300 researchers, students and support staff dedicated to improving detection and management of diseases such as skin and blood cancers, arthritis and diabetes.

Institute Director Professor Paul Clarke said the namesake was particularly appropriate given the emphasis on translation of research into therapies and diagnostic methods.

The announcement was made at the annual Jian Zhou Oration, held in memory of the Gardasil co-inventor since 2000, the year following his death.

The oration was delivered by Emeritus Professor Frazer last night.

Ian Frazer with three other people unveiling a plaque from behind a black curtain

“Our individual contribution to science might be remembered but what really counts will be the contributions of 42 PhD students and 20 postdocs we have helped along their way,” Emeritus Professor Frazer said.

“Their contributions to research over 30 years include more than 400 peer-reviewed publications, and it has been a pleasure to enable and assist them in this work.”  

Emeritus Professor Frazer’s supervision of his two final PhD candidates will be ongoing until 2024, and he will continue to serve on a number of advisory councils and boards.

He is looking forward to spending more time with family.

“I owe my wife Caroline and my sons a huge debt for all those hours that I couldn’t be around and when they were thrust into the spotlight at various times alongside me,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the normal things, spending time with grandchildren and travelling for leisure, not work.”

Ian and Caroline Frazer chaired The University of Queensland’s landmark Not if, When: The Campaign to Create Change from 2017-2020, helping to raise $607 million to support students, teaching and research.

The couple will continue their philanthropic work through the Frazer Family Trust.

“We are passionate supporters of both research and the arts, and know that it can be extremely difficult to get a start in some of these fields.

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities we have enjoyed, and to be in the fortunate position now where we can give others a helping hand.”

Emeritus Professor Frazer has received numerous accolades for his research and was Australian of the Year in 2006, and received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2008.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said his work was a shining example of one of Queensland’s greatest offerings to the world.

The invention of the world’s first HPV vaccine – Gardasil, has saved the lives of millions of women, and has the potential to eradicate cervical cancer within a generation,” Mr Miles said.

In August, the Children’s Hospital Foundation and UQ launched the Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research, led by Professor Di Yu.

The Frazer Institute is housed in the Translational Research Institute (TRI on the campus of the PA Hospital).

Interviews and b-roll of Emeritus Professor Frazer and his two PhD students are available via Dropbox.

Media: communications@uq.edu.au, +61 429 056139.

Ian and Caroline Frazer with their arms around each other's shoulders in a sandstone corridor
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