Tom McMeekin: a pioneer in ‘Predictive Food Microbiology’ and Antarctic microbial ecology

Thomas Alexander McMeekin, Professor in Microbiology, Emeritus Professor after his retirement in 2007 at the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Agriculture, and a loyal supporter of the Australian Society for Microbiology, died prematurely in Hobart on 28 August 2021. He leaves an incredible legacy of support for microbiological science and scores of graduate students who continue his passion for good science, assiduously executed and communicated. Among colleagues, and his many former students around the globe, there remains enormous respect and affection for Tom.

Perhaps Tom is best known for his pioneering work and leadership in the relatively new discipline of ‘Predictive Microbiology’ (the quantitative microbial ecology of foods), but Tom also sponsored people and programs in Antarctic microbial ecology, marine microbiology and aquaculture, in microbial sources of essential fatty acids (PUFAs), maintained strong interest in the microbiology of poultry, including use of scanning electron microscopy and in microbial taxonomy and systematics. Tom wrote, in his successful DSc dissertation (1989): ‘To many scientists, taxonomy is a rather esoteric pursuit. In fact, it probably has more application than any other branch of microbiology as all microbiologists utilise the identification schemes that result from painstaking taxonomic studies’.

From this diverse range of interests and expertise, and his scientific integrity, Tom was able to imagine and craft numerous successful and diverse research projects that delivered novel science and practical outcomes. Tom was an exceptional networker and internationalist and, through this, built productive relationships with a diverse range of researchers around the world, opening career pathways and opportunities for many of his graduate students.

Born in Northern Ireland in 1945, Tom studied agriculture and completed his PhD at the Queen’s University, Belfast. He worked in Northern Ireland for a few years before being appointed to a lectureship at the University of Tasmania (UTas) in 1974. His predecessor in the position – Kevin Marshall – was another outstanding Australian servant of microbiology and the ASM. Tom’s original intention when moving to Hobart, with wife Jennifer and baby son Tom, was to stay for 3 years and then to return to Northern Ireland. But the McMeekins, including their new baby daughter (Jane), stayed.

Once in Hobart, and Australia, Tom quickly became ‘noticed’ in the microbiology and food science worlds, because of his deep and topical knowledge of the relevant science. At this time, he met the irrepressible June Olley, DSc. June had worked at the Torry Research Institute (Scotland), and also moved to Hobart in the 1970s (to be married!). At Torry, June worked with Dr Jim Shewan, Tom’s PhD supervisor, whom Tom acknowledged as a great influence on his life and career.

June’s research interests were in seafood technology, including seafood preservation, and understanding the shelf life of chilled fish as a function of storage temperature. As a microbiologist, Tom understood that the shelf life of fresh fish was probably most affected by the growth of spoilage bacteria, and also recognised that the nascent idea of ‘predictive microbiology’ might be a useful solution to June’s problem: they maintained a strong and productive working relationship throughout their lifetimes. As a University academic Tom had access to BSc Honours and higher research degree students and, with his passion and integrity, was able to recruit many to this new area of research with outstanding results. David and I consider ourselves privileged to have contributed to, and learned from, Tom and the groups he led.

Tom continued to be concerned about the welfare of his colleagues too and, after June was no longer able to drive, Tom meticulously called on her almost every day and drove her to the University Club, where she enjoyed lunching and exchanging insights and ideas with other UTas staff into her 90s.

Tom’s international refereed research publications number over 170 and he (co)-supervised 38 PhD students, most still contributing to microbiological science. This led to UTas becoming world-recognised for predictive microbiology excellence, and to ‘the Hobart group’ hosting and organising the successful second International Conference on Predictive Microbiology in 1996. Tom’s modus operandi was to ‘make things happen’ (usually quietly in the background) for the team he led, and the individuals within it, and to create ‘clear space’ to let them ‘get on’ with ‘the research’. That a small group of microbiologists in a remote Australian university became recognised internationally is mostly due to Tom’s expertise, character, and ability to inspire people to perform at the highest standard. These qualities, and a genuine care for his colleagues and students and mentors, are probably why he is held so dear by them.

So many people got their ‘start’ in the world of academe in microbial ecology and applied food science and technology through Tom’s ability to work alongside, nurture and cajole. Tom was a creative and insightful science research manager. Most importantly, while he was also a lovable larrikin, he was a genuine and gifted leader. The McMeekin’s decision to remain in Tasmania and make Australia ‘home’ has enriched Australia’s reputation not only in the field of microbiology, but generally in science innovation, research, education and application.