Professor Merlin Crossley AM
Congratulations to Fellow Professor (Paul) Merlin Crossley (Wyvern 1982) who was recognised for his significant service to education and molecular biology with a King’s Birthday Honour.
Merlin was delighted to be made a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, while recognising his work has been a team effort.
With more than 140 publications to his name, Merlin’s research has focussed on genetic diseases of the blood, haemophilia and sickle cell anemia, and on the fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation.
Serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Quality at The University of New South Wales, since 2022, Merlin’s current roles also include Chair of the Editorial Board of The Conversation, and Deputy Chair of the Australian Science Media Centre.
Merlin has contributed to Australian scientific organisations as a Member of the Australian Astronomical Observatory Advisory Committee, Board Member of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, as a Member of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia Council, and as the Honorary Secretary of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Merlin’s King’s Birthday Honour comes after several acknowledgments for his work in education and molecular biology, particularly close to his heart is the recognition of his support for research at the Australian Museum, including nine years as Trustee and Chair of the Science Strategy Panel. A newly discovered species of iridescent Butterfly Bobtail squid was named Iridoteuthis merlini in his honour.