Professor John Mackenzie is a scientist with an outstanding international reputation in the field of microbiology and its impacts on public health. He was awarded an Order of Australia in 2002 for service to microbiology research, particularly as a leading contributor to the understanding of the genetics, pathogenesis and public health implications of viruses, and to education. He led the World Health Organisation mission into China seeking information on SARS in 2003 and was involved in the global response to Avian Flu in 2004. He is a member of Steering Committee of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network of WHO, and of various international committees concerned with emerging diseases. Professor Mackenzie was a recipient of the Western Australian Premier`s Research Fellowship which aims to attract excellent researchers to WA from overseas or interstate to conduct research that is internationally competitive. His research at Curtin was in the area of mosquito-borne diseases within the Division of Health Sciences. Professor Mackenzie was also Secretary-General of the International Union of Microbiological Societies.