A series of morning (not mourning) tea celebrations have been taking place in the Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging to mark the retirements of Associate Professor Mervyn Merrilees, Professor Martin Wild and Professor Louise Nicholson.
Merv has been a member of the Department for 39 years, having joined in 1978 as a Senior Lecturer. Merv trained at the University of Otago, and obtained a PhD from the University of Toronto. He has served on numerous committees, and was HOD from 2000-2003. He was Chair of Medical Committee of the Auckland Medical Research Foundation 1993-2007, Chair of the Scientific Committee of the National Heart Foundation 2011-2016 and is currently Director of the Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust. In 2004 he was awarded a DSc from the University of Otago, in particular for his ground-breaking studies on the extracellular matrix and atherosclerosis.
Martin joined the Department in 1984 and quickly established himself as one of the world leaders in neuroanatomy and neurobiology of the sensory and motor systems of birds. He was awarded a DSc from the University of Auckland in 2006, and served as HOD from 2008-2010. He has been dubbed the “travelling interneuron” by colleagues overseas, due to a string of productive study leave periods at leading labs around the world. He is currently a member of the Max Planck Scientific Advisory Board for the Institute of Ornithology in Seewiesen and Radolfzel, Germany.
Louise joined the Department in 1989, having trained in zoology at the University of Auckland, taught secondary school biology, and studied as a Rhodes Visiting Fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. She has served on numerous committees, including Council, and was a dynamic Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences for many years. With her husband Jon, Louise has made a $1 million donation to the Universiy of Auckland to fund PhD students undertaking spinal cord injury research.
For their unique contributions to the academic life of the Department, School, Faculty and University, we thank them heartily and wish them all the best for their future adventures.