Richard Freeman Mark 1934–2003

Abstract

Richard Freeman Mark was born in New Zealand and studied Medicine at Otago University, followed by doctoral studies at the Université d'Aix-Marseille in France. He undertook postdoctoral studies at the Californian Institute of Technology before accepting a Senior Lectureship at Monash University, Melbourne. His research interests focused on neuroscience, with cutting-edge studies on memory, nerve regeneration, neurodevelopment and plasticity. Richard was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Behavioural Biology at the Australian National University in 1975 and remained there for over twenty-five years. He championed an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to neurobiology in both teaching and research. He was a gifted supervisor and teacher and and initiated the first honours Neuroscience course in Australia. He was elected to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science in 1974, served as President of the Australian Neuroscience Society from 1998-1999 and was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003.