As a young scientist, I became fascinated by electron microscopy. In the late sixties, this technique was dramatically transforming our concept of cellular structure. I concentrated upon cell division and morphogenesis in green algae and then diatoms. As this work progressed, I became increasingly frustrated at trying to recreate dynamic cellular events solely from static images.
A turning point in my career came when I first saw the extraordinary sight of a live diatom undergoing mitosis at high magnification. After borrowing a 16mm. time-lapse camera, I was soon filming algae doing all the things I had studied with the electron microscope. Since then, I have built up a laboratory devoted to the high resolution video imaging and recording of all sorts of cells and microscopic organisms going about their complex and extraordinary lives. It's the best peep show around!
Personal Information
Date of Birth: June 5, 1940
Education
B.A. and PhD. (Biochemistry), Cambridge University, England, 1965.
Professional Experience
Fellow: Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, 1965-1970.
Professor: Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, U.S.A., 1970-1988.
Professor: School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1988-present.
Awards & Honours
Darbaker Prize, American Botanical Society, 1974
Teacher Recognition Award, Colorado University Student-Alumni Association, 1975
Colorado University Faculty Teaching Award, 1981
Fellow, Australian Academy of Science, 1992
Fellow, Royal Society, 1995
Research Publications
180 research publications in refereed journals.
Book "Green Algae: Structure, Reproduction and Evolution in Selected Genera". Sinauer Assoc., Stamford, CT; 606 pages, 1975.
Video Discs
"LIVING CELLS: Structure, Diversity and Evolution". 12" CAV, 2 sides, 32 mins./side. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland, Mass., 1993.
"CELLULAR EVOLUTION in the Green Algae". 12" CAV, 2 sides, 32 mins./side. Cytographics, Ascot Vale, Australia; 1995.
Video Tapes
"LIVING CELLS: Structure and Diversity"; 36 mins. Cytographics, Ascot Vale, Australia. 1996.
"PREDATORY TACTICS: Survival in the Microcosmos"; 42 mins. Cytographics, Ascot Vale, Australia. 1996.
Films
Ten 16mm sound, color films, no longer available.
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