A tribute to Associate Professor Susan Sayers (15 August 1943-22 March 2016)

摘要

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Susan Sayers on 22 March 2016 after a short battle with cancer. She was one of the earliest proponents of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) research in Australia and bravely tackled one of the greatest challenges facing the Australian and New Zealand DOHaD community, that of the effects on Australian Aboriginal people. Associate Professor Sayers is best known as the founder of the Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort (ABC) Study. The study commenced in 1987 and involves 686 babies born at Royal Darwin Hospital, the ABC has been followed up over the subsequent 28 years in 40 remote and urban communities across northern Australia. She was to see the study gain credibility over this time to be recognized as the largest and long running cohort of Indigenous people. In recognition of her remarkable contribution, in 2013 she was awarded the Menzies School of Health Research's highest honour, the Menzies Medallion. In 1977, Sue Sayers was one of the first group of graduates of a newly recognized paediatrics sub-specialty, neonatology and perinatology. Over 40 years, predominantly based at Menzies and Royal Darwin Hospital, Sue pursued a career as a clinician and researcher. Since 1987 Sue has conducted her research working in an honorary capacity, without any salary.