Dr. Graham Mitchell
Dr. Graham Mitchell
'In conversation with...' is a series of interviews with prominent alumni from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, which will highlight the amazing achievements and world class research that have been produced by alumni from the faculty.
Dr. Graham Mitchell has been at the forefront of medical research and development for over forty years. At the completion of his PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in 1969, Dr. Mitchell embarked on an extraordinary journey that still finds him at the top of his field.
During his fascinating career, Dr. Mitchell has worked extensively with the World Health Organisation (WHO), was the Director of the Royal Melbourne Zoo, a Director of Research in CSL Limited, is currently the joint Chief Scientist for the Victorian Government Departments of Primary Industries, and Sustainability and Environment, and in 1993 was named as an Officer in the Order of Australia. Just to name a few. Possessing a vast array of national and international experience, Dr. Mitchell is a fantastic wealth of knowledge, and is a proud Alumnus of the University.
After completing a degree in Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney, Dr. Mitchell moved to Melbourne and started his PhD at the WEHI under the then new director Sir Gustav Nossal, now Emeritus Professor at the Nossal Institute for Global Health.
Dr. Mitchell explains that on a visit to WEHI as a final year Vet student, Gus gave him the 'cooks tour', which was a day tour around the institute.
'I said to myself, if these are the kind of people that are doing medical research, then this is what I want to do!'.
During his PhD under the supervision of Sir Gustav and Professor Jacques Miller, Dr. Mitchell made a breakthrough discovery.
'In 1968 we discovered two distinct cell types that interact in antibody production' Dr. Mitchell explains. These were the T and B cells. This breakthrough proved to be the spark that set Graham on his way, and before long he found himself at the WEHI in charge of a brand new program.
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| Walter and Eliza Hall Institute |
After completing his PhD, Dr. Mitchell travelled abroad to gain post-doctoral experience in 3 locations, and returned to WEHI to establish a program on the immunology of parasitism.
'When I got back to WEHI I said to Miller and Nossal that I had to differentiate myself from them, as my interests were diverging a bit' he explains.
Gus suggested that he start up a program on the immunology of parasitic diseases, particularly tropical diseases and the development of model systems, as at the time there was little work being done. As fate would have it there was increasing awareness of what scientific research could achieve in this area and Dr. Mitchell's research attracted initial funding from the WHO and the RockefellerFoundation.
'Things we take for granted, like many of the vaccines we have in our society, were just not available for parasitic diseases . It was a global disgrace that we hadn't marshalled the forces of the “new technology” against these scourges of mankind' Dr. Mitchell explains.
'My timing was fortuitous, but I made sure I capitalised on my opportunities. Really, it was the start of my scientific life, and the WEHI was the perfect fit' he explains.
The intellectual environment under the leadership of Sir Gustav was a real highlight for Dr. Mitchell. He particularly notes that his time at the University of Melbourne allowed him to participate in world-class research. Graham describes his time at the University as being 'absolutely crucial in the development of my career and approach to science'.
'We were making discoveries that to a young scientist, were “earth shattering” and I realised quickly that I'd made a fantastic choice in coming to the University of Melbourne' he says.
His time at the University was also an opportunity to develop contacts that he has maintained and nurtured during his career. Strong partnerships through business, science and health organisations have been a crucial part of Graham's journey.
One such partnership is Foursight, which combines the skills and experience of Dr. Mitchell, Sir Gus Nossal and other Melbourne Alumni Dr. John Stocker and Professor David Penington. Foursight are the joint Chief Scientists for the Departments of Primary Industries, and Sustainability and Environment, and the group provides specialist expertise in a variety of fields within the life sciences particularly around innovation.
'When we set up Foursight we had as one of our objectives to give something back to a country and profession that had been very good to all of us. We wanted to give back to Australia and scientific research, and our common link was the University of Melbourne' he explains.
In his work with the WHO Dr. Mitchell is involved with advisory committees in the Tropical Disease Research Program, which assists in various projects aimed at battling disease.
One of his main interests now is food security, an area that he believes needs urgent and immediate investment. Dr. Mitchell suggests that over-population and significant climate change mean food will become an increasingly significant issue.
'What we need is practice change. Not all problems can be resolved with science and technology; we need to encourage people to change the way they live' he says.
Dr. Mitchell believes that institutions such as the University of Melbourne will continue to play a vital role in the future of medical research.
'I like to think that we live in an enlightened society. A key element of this are research institutions, places where enquiry and gathering the evidence can flourish' he explains.
He describes the University as a place where people can debate issues, get the right diagnosis for these issues, and implement the therapy through collaborative endeavour.
'A University is an absolute linchpin of a worthy society, one that we often take for granted' he says.
Dr. Mitchell's influence over the field of immunology and the life sciences more broadly is unquestioned. His commitment to medical research grew from his time at the University, and his work today still continues the quest for genuine answers to some of the world's major health problems including health of the environment.
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