Curtin University has recognised the distinguished service of four of its outstanding academics by awarding them the highest honours the University can bestow on its academic staff.
Professor Andris Stelbovics, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, has been awarded the title of John Curtin Distinguished Professor. He will receive the title of John Curtin Distinguished Emeritus Professor on his retirement from the University in August 2018.
The title of Emeritus Professor has been awarded to Professor Mike Daube from the Faculty of Health Sciences; Professor Gwidon Stachowiak from the Faculty of Science and Engineering; and Adjunct Professor John Stephens from the Faculty of Humanities.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry congratulated the recipients, adding they had each made significant contributions during their distinguished service at the University.
“Professors Daube, Stachowiak, Stephens and Stelbovics hold esteemed national and international reputations in the fields of public health policy, tribology, architecture and physics respectively,” Professor Terry said.
“The recipients have been instrumental in strengthening the University’s research performance on the world stage and I would like to commend them for their contribution to helping shape Curtin as a leading global university.”
Professor Mike Daube, is a Professor of Health Policy in the Faculty of Health Sciences. He is a leading figure in national and international action, research, and media commentary on public health issues. He has maintained a wide range of international roles working with the World Health Organisation, governments and other health groups and has received distinguished awards throughout his career, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and being named the 2018 Western Australian of the Year.
Professor Gwidon Stachowiak, from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, is a leader in the field of tribology, the study of friction, wear and lubrication. He joined Curtin University in 2013 and established the Curtin Tribology Laboratory, a nationally leading research centre. He has won a number of international awards in recognition of his enduring contributions to tribology.
Adjunct Professor John Stephens, from the Faculty of Humanities, retired in 2017 after a career of 21 years, during which he was highly regarded as an enthusiastic teacher and a researcher of architectural history, cultural heritage and conservation. He has served the University in a range of leadership roles within the Faculty of Humanities.
Professor Andris Stelbovics, joined Curtin University in June 2007 as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Under Professor Stelbovics’ leadership, the Faculty of Science and Engineering has continued to strengthen its research performance, with a number of disciplines now rated in the top 100 worldwide. The Faculty’s Mineral and Mining Engineering programs were ranked first in Australia and second globally by the prestigious QS World University Rankings. His own research interests are in the field of physics and he is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society.
The title of Emeritus Professor is normally awarded to a Professor who is within six months of retirement and has demonstrated a distinguished service and commitment to the University.
John Curtin Distinguished Professors are academics with exceptional teaching expertise, research skills, or scholarly, creative or artistic achievements; a significant record of public service and an established national or international reputation.
