Mollie Holman
Mollie Holman, AO, FAA (1930–2010) was an Australian physiologist.[1]
Life and career
Mollie Holman was born on 18 June 1930 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
Daughter of an influential father William, a physician and radiologist and of homemaker mother Mollie (née Bain), Professor Holman was raised as one of four girls. Her father was very supportive of each daughter's intellectual development, and sparked and supported Mollie's interest in physics.[2]
Holman died on 20 August 2010. She is survived by her sisters Jill, Joan and Lucie and their families.[3]
Education
- 1952 - Bachelor of Science (BSc) completed at the University of Melbourne
- 1955 - Master of Science (MSc) completed at the University of Melbourne
- 1957 - Doctor of Philosophy (Dphil) completed in Oxford
- 1960s- Doctor of Science (DSc) received from Monash University
- 1962 - Senior Lecturer in Physiology at the University of Melbourne
- 1963 - Senior Lecturer in Physiology at Monash University
Working life
- 1953-54 - Demonstrator in Pharmacology at the University of Melbourne-
- 1955-57 - Research student at the University of Oxford, on a University of Melbourne Travelling Scholarship
- 1957 - Wellcome Research Grant in Oxford
- 1958-62 - Lecturer in Physiology at the University of Melbourne
- 1965 - Edgeworth David Medal received from the Royal Society of New South Wales
- 1965-7? - Career position - Reader in Physiology at Monash University
- 1970 - Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
- 1970-96 - Professor at Monash University
- 1996 - Emeritus Professor at Monash University
Research
Professor Holman's research focused on the complex network of nerve cells that regulate autonomic movements (such as digestion and blood pressure), and how these interact with smooth muscle in the body.[2]
In a successful collaboration with Geoff Burnstock, Mollie showed how nerves initiated smooth muscle contractions. She often worked late at night to avoid the unwanted vibrations from the rumblings of passing daytime traffic that interfered with her fine electrodes. Holman completed her DPhil degree in 1957 and returned to Australia in 1958. At about the same time Burnstock was appointed to the department of zoology, allowing the collaboration to continue. Their work on smooth muscle and its nerve supply was pioneering. A series of papers was published, beginning with a note to Nature magazine in 1960. This brought Mollie to the attention of the scientific community.[3]
Sample paper from Google Scholar: [HTML] Two types of neurones in the myenteric plexus of duodenum in the guinea-pig GDS Hirst, ME Holman, I Spence - The Journal of Physiology, 1974 - Physiological Soc
Other interests
Mollie had a rich social life and many interests (ranging from roller-skating, as a child, to skiing and travel, as an adult) she applied herself after retirement to a range of tasks including learning about computers.[2]
Awards
- 1965 - Edgeworth David Medal received from the Royal Society of New South Wales
- 1998 - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
The Mollie Holman Medal
Monash University offered for the first time in 1998, up to 10 medals for award to doctoral candidates, normally one from each faculty, who have fulfilled their degree requirements and presented their faculty's best thesis of the year.[2]
Great to see good representation of women winning the Mollie Holman medals in 2013.[4]
References
- ↑ "Holman, Mollie Elizabeth – Biographical entry". Encyclopedia of Australian Science. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
- 1 2 3 4 "Farewell to Mollie Holman (1930-2010)". Monash University. 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
- 1 2 Proske, Uwe (2010-10-13). "Key smooth cell researcher". The Age. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
- ↑ "Best PhD theses recognised.". Monash University. 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
External links
- Photo of Mollie Holman
- Bhathal, R. S. (1999). Profiles: Australian Women Scientists. National Library Australia. ISBN 9780642107015.
- Farewell to Mollie Holman – Monash University Website
- Mollie Holman Medal – Monash University Website
- Mollie Holman Biography – Encyclopedia of Australian Science
- Proske, Uwe (2010-10-13). "Key smooth cell researcher". The Age. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
