Pioneering melanoma researcher Prof Richard Scolyer honoured with new UTAS scholarship

The path-blazing career of one of the University of Tasmania’s most inspirational former students has been recognised with a new scholarship named in his honour. WHAT’S NEXT

UTAS Deputy Vice-Chancellor Health Professor Graeme Zosky, Professor Richard Scolyer AO, UTAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black, and Menzies Institute for Medical Research Director Professor Tracey Dickson. Picture: Peter W. Allen

The pioneering medical career of one of the University of Tasmania’s most innovative and inspirational former students, 2024 Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer AO, has been recognised with a new scholarship named in his honour.

Announcing the scholarship open to all current and commencing higher-degree Health faculty research students, UTAS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rufus Black, said the endowment would provide recipients with $10,000 in support every year for the duration of their degree.

“The University of Tasmania is extremely proud to establish a scholarship in Professor Scolyer’s name,” Prof Black said.

“The scholarship reflects Richard’s dedication and innovation in the field of medical research, which has helped countless individuals and communities locally and beyond.”

Born in Launceston and attending Riverside High School, Prof Scolyer obtained a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Tasmania, before moving to Sydney to undertake specialist training in pathology.

A co-director of the Melanoma Institute Australia alongside joint 2024 Australian of the Year recipient, Professor Georgina Long AO, Prof Scolyer’s immunotherapy research helped save thousands of lives, before he was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in 2023.

At Prof Long’s suggestion, MIA began to apply its immunotherapy discoveries relating to melanoma to Prof Scolyer’s brain cancer.

While the decorated researcher’s illness has now returned, he remains committed to sharing his journey with the medical community, and pursuing his work in melanoma.

“It is Richard’s life and his life’s work that has provided the model for this scholarship,” Professor Black said.

“Inspired by Richard’s story, the scholarship supports the next generation of medical researchers who will continue to push boundaries and drive innovation to ensure better health care for all.”

The Professor Richard Scolyer AO Research Innovation HDR Scholarship is yet to be awarded, with the first recipient commencing in 2026.