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Emeritus Consultants Biographies
David Curnow was born in Bunbury in 1921, the son of James, a farmer, and Sophia nee Gibbs. He is a member of a large family of Cornish descent. He graduated from the University of Western Australia in Science in 1942 and obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of London in 1950. David was appointed Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry on January 1st 1953. He retained this position for 20 years until 1974 when he retired to take up the position of Head of Combined Clinical Biochemistry Services at the Queen Elizabeth 11 Medical Centre. David built an outstanding Department of Biochemistry at the Royal Perth Hospital with an International reputation. In 1968 he was appointed Foundation Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia but retained his post as head of department at the Royal Perth Hospital. David was Visiting Specialist to the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1977 to 1985 and Honorary Consultant Biochemist to the King Edward Memorial Hospital. David had a leading role in the formation of the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists. He was its first Honorary Secretary and served two terms as President. He was made a Life Fellow of the Association and the David Curnow Plenary Lecture which is delivered annually was established in his honour. He has represented Australia on the International Bodies of Clinical Chemistry and has been Chairman of The International Committee of Education in Clinical Chemistry. He was appointed an Officer (AO) in the Order of Australia for service to science, particularly in the field of clinical chemistry. David Curnow has written 90 scientific papers and was co-author of the text book "Metabolic Pathways in Medicine". A number of his papers dealt with results from the Busselton Population Studies and he played an important role in the planning and execution of these studies. For many years David has served on the Executive Committee of the Red Cross (WA) and is also Vice-President of Friends of the University of Western Australia Art Gallery. David married Norma Somers in 1952 and they have four sons. He has wide ranging interests, including travel, sailing and music. |
