Mollie Elizabeth HOLMAN (1930 - 2010)

Personal Chair in Physiology (1970 - 1996)

The Monash University community was saddened by the death of one of its longstanding members, Emeritus Professor Mollie Holman AO, who passed away on the 20th of August, 2010.

Professor Holman held a personal chair as professor of physiology at Monash from 1970 until her retirement in 1996.

"Mollie Holman played an integral role in the development of this university and was a pioneer in her field of physiology," said Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne.

Professor Holman's research focused on the complex network of nerve cells that innervate the smooth muscle in the wall of the gut. In 1970 she was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and in 1998 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Professor Holman's contribution to Monash University was recognised in 1999, when she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws. She was also awarded the 2007 David de Kretser Award for her exceptional contribution to the University spanning back to 1963. In addition, The Mollie Holman Doctoral Medal for Excellence, named in her honour, is awarded to the best PhD thesis in each faculty.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Mollie Holman's life will be held at 3pm on Tuesday 14 September at the Religious Centre on the Clayton campus.

The Memorial Service will be followed by an afternoon tea at the Monash University Club.

Edited version of tribute published in Monash Memo, 25 August 2010.