William James (Jim) Peacock
Overview
William James Peacock was born at Leura, NSW, on 14 December 1937. He graduated BSc (First-Class Honours), University of Sydney in 1958 and PhD from University of Sydney in 1963. In 1963-64, he was a postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biology, University of Oregon and joined the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry as a Senior Research Scientist in 1965.
He had an outstanding career at CSIRO being promoted to the level of Chief Research Scientist in 1977. He was Chief of the Division of Plant Industry for 26 years (1978-2003) and a CSIRO Fellow and Chair of the Office of the Chief Executive Science team from 2004.
He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the nation’s highest honour, in 1994 and was Australia’s Chief Scientist from 2006 to 2008.
Dr Peacock has made an outstanding contribution to Australian science through his:
- original research
- science policy and administration
- science education
- interactions with industry.
His commitment to science, to CSIRO and his belief in science and its benefits for industry and society have been compelling. He was a visionary leader and his commitment to both fundamental science and to industry-partnered science ensured CSIRO Plant Industry is one of the top plant research institutes in the world. His laboratory pioneered molecular biology techniques in Australian plant science. This included the first isolation of a plant transposable element, the isolation of stress protection genes and the demonstration of genetic and epigenetic controls of flowering in Arabidopsis and cereals.
Dr Peacock’s activities, at the interface between science and modern agribusiness, have resulted in the commercial uptake of genetically modified cotton.
He founded the:
- Gene Shears Company
- Graingene Alliance (a joint venture between AWB Ltd, the GRDC, Syngenta and CSIRO Plant Industry)
- High Rainfall Zone Wheat Company.
His communication skills, his willingness to speak to the public and to bring them the excitement of modern science have been of enormous benefit to Australia. Dr Peacock has actively promoted science education in Australian schools. He has championed a successful new program for Primary Schools which links science with literacy. He also established the Discovery Centre which showcases CSIRO research activities to students and the general public and includes:
- the Green Machine facility where school pupils have hands-on science experience
- Industry Link where key decision makers of industry learn the value of supporting modern science, particularly gene technology.
Fellowship of learned societies
2002-06 | President (PresAA), Australian Academy of Science |
1990 | Foreign Associate, US National Academy of Sciences |
1990 | Foreign Fellow, Indian National Science Academy |
1989 | FAIAS, Fellow, The Australian Institute of Agricultural Science |
1988 | FTSE, Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering |
1982 | FRS Fellow, The Royal Society of London |
1976 | FAA, Fellow, Australian Academy of Science |
Honorary degrees
2008 | DSc (honoris causa), University of New South Wales |
2004 | DSc (honoris causa), Ghent University, Belgium |
2002 | DScAg (honoris causa), University of Sydney |
1996 | DSc (honoris causa), Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga |
Honours and awards
2012 | Rabobank Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the food and agricultural industries. |
2005 | CSIRO Lifetime Achievement Award |
2004 | Academia Bibliotheca Alexandrinae, Foundation Member |
2000 | Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (with Dr Elizabeth Dennis) |
1999 | The Farrer Memorial Medal |
1996 | Cited in The Bulletin, one of Australia’s 10 most creative minds and their visions for the future Dec 1996/Jan 1997, pp.27-40 |
1995 | Cited in Barry Jones, MP, list of 75 Australian High Flyers The Australian Way, Nov 1995 |
1995 | Cited in The Independent Monthly 10 Australian Scientists (Paul Davies, John Eccles, Frank Fenner, Philip Law, Nossal/Miller/Metcalf, James Peacock, Roger Short, John Shine, Alan Walsh, Paul Wild), Aug 1995 |
1994 | AC (Companion of The Order of Australia) |
1989 | CSIRO Medal for Leadership of the Division of Plant Industry |
1989 | Burnet Medal, Australian Academy of Science for Distinguished contributions in the Biological Sciences |
1988 | BHP Bicentennial Prize for the Pursuit of Excellence in Science and Technology |
1987 | NI Vavilov Medal, Vavilov Institute ‘ Distinguished contributions to world plant genetic resources |
1985 | University of Georgia Bicentennial Medal, Plenary Lecturer, 1st International Congress of Plant Molecular Biology |
1984 | International Board of Plant Genetic Resources, 10th Anniversary Medal, Contributions to plant genetic resources |
1982 | University Seal, Louvain, Belgium, University lecture in plant molecular biology |
1978 | Lemberg Medal, Australian Biochemical Society ‘ Distinguished contributions to biochemistry |
1967 | Edgeworth David Medal, Royal Society of NSW ‘ Distinguished research in science amongst younger workers |
Distingued lectures
1996 | Biochemistry Alumni Lecture, The University of Queensland |
1993 | Quantum Interview Series, ABC Science Unit |
1993 | Special Lecture, XV International Botanical Congress, Yokohama, Japan |
1992 | Marsho-Schwartz Memorial Lecturer, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA |
1990 | Morel Lecture, Versailles, France |
1990 | Trends in Biotechnology Seminar, Stockholm, Sweden |
1989 | McKnight Foundation Seminar, Yale University, New Haven |
1989 | Burnet Lecture, Australian Academy of Science |
1989 | Distinguished Centenary Lecturer, Cold Spring Harbor Research Laboratory, New York |
1988 | Distinguished Lecturer in Life Sciences, Boyce Thompson Research Institute, Cornell University, New York |
1988 | Johannsen Lecture, International Congress of Genetics, Toronto, Canada |
1985 | Centenary Lecture, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney |
1985 | Allied Corporation Lecture on Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Rutgers University |
1984 | Distinguished Lecture in Biological Chemistry, Washington State University |
1982 | University Lecture in Plant Molecular Biology, University of Louvain, Belgium |
1981 | Butler Lecturer, University of Queensland |
1979 | Australia-Germany Lecturer, Australian Biochemical Society |
1978 | Lemberg Lecturer, Australian Biochemical Society |
1976 | Hannaford Lecturer, University of Adelaide |
National and international scientific committees
Since 1975, he has served on a number of national and international scientific committees for the Australian Government, the Australian Academy of Science, the Government of Victoria, the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research, the International Union of Biological Sciences, and the International Council for Science. Details are as follows:
2009 | Annals of Botany PLANTS Advisory Panel |
2009 | Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) External Advisory Board (UK) |
2009 | Chinese Academy of Science International Advisory Board |
2009 | UNSW Faculty of Science Advisory Council American/Australian Association Education Fund |
2006 – 08 | BIOTEC International Advisory Board member |
2006 – 08 | Appointments as Chief Scientist ‘ Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) Executive Officer; Research Quality Framework (Chair); Higher Education Endowment Fund Advisory Committee; NCRIS; National Science Forum; CRC Committee; CSTACI; PM Science Prizes; Australia-India Research Fund |
2005 | National Research Priorities Standing Committee (Chair) |
2003 | Congress President, International Genetics Congress |
1998 – 2002 | Member, Advisory Committee on Genetic Experimentation and Biotechnology (ACOGEB), International Council for Science |
1998 | Member, Asia-Pacific International Molecular Biology Network |
1998 | International Committee, Australian Academy of Science |
1998 | Member, ACT Science and Technology Council |
1998 – 2001 | Council Member, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering |
1995 – 98 | Chairman, Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research |
1995 – 98 | Council Member, Australian Academy of Science |
1995 | Burnet Medal and Lecture Awards Committee |
1995 | Member, Advisory Committee, 10th International Biotechnology Symposium, Sydney, Australia |
1994 | Member, Foresight Committee, Center for International Agricultural Research |
1994 | CSIRO representative to Council and Executive Committee, Bread Research Institute of Australia Inc. |
1994 – 2001 | The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, The Crawford Fund Board of Governors |
1994 | International Steering Committee, ‘Harnessing Apomixis: A New Frontier in Plant Science’ |
1993 | France/Australia Industrial Research (FAIR) Agreement, Agribusiness Sub-Group |
1992 | President, Organising Committee, International Genetics Congress 1998 Bid |
1991 – 95 | Member, Australian Science and Technology, Council (ASTEC) |
1991 – 93 | Awards Committee of Council, Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
1991 | External Review of International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), Nairobi |
1990 – 93 | Multinational Arabidopsis Genome Project |
1990 | Member, International Advisory Board, Asia-Pacific/International Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology |
1988 | Member, International Scientific Advisory Board for VIIth International Association Plant Tissue Culture Congress, Amsterdam |
1988 | Leader, Australian Biotechnology Mission to the European Community |
1987 – 89 | Chairman, Board of Trustees, International Board of Plant Genetic Resources |
1987 | Member, Review Committee, Faculty of Science Molecular Biology Review, Australian National University |
1987 | Member, Expert Panel, Biotechnology Centre, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi |
1986 – 89 | Chairman, Executive and Program Committees, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources |
1986 – 90 | Member, Cotton Research Council, Department of Primary Industry, Australia |
1985 | International Program Committee, International Genetics Federation |
1985 – 89 | Member, Executive of International Board for Plant Genetic Resources |
1985 – 88 | Member, Board of Directors, International Society for Plant Molecular Biology |
1984 | Member, Science and Industry Forum, Australian Academy of Science |
1984 – 88 | Member, Sectional Committee V, Australian Academy of Science |
1984 – 85 | Member, National Committee on Science Research Funding, Australian Academy of Science |
1983 | Vice President, XV International Congress of Genetics |
1982 | Chairman, School Biology Project Committee, Australian Academy of Science |
1982 – 89 | Member, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources |
1982 – 85 | Member, Cogene Committee, International Council of Scientific Unions |
1982 – 83 | Member, Gottschalk Medal Committee, Australian Academy of Science |
1982 | Member, Australian Bicentennial Authority Science Task Force |
1981 – 90 | Member, Discussion Meetings Committee, Australian Academy of Science |
1981 – 83 | Member, Australian Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee, Department of Science |
1981 – 83 | Member, Scientific Sub-committee, Australian Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee, Department of Science |
1981 | Member, Review Committee, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University |
1980 – 85 | Chairman, Boden Biology Conference Committee, Australian Academy of Science |
1980 – 81 | Member, Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship Committee, Department of Science |
1979 – 81 | Member, National Committee of Biological Sciences, Australian Academy of Science |
1979 – 80 | Chairman, Sectional Committee VII, Australian Academy of Science |
1978 – 82 | Member, School Biology Project Committee, Australian Academy of Science |
1978 – 81 | Member, Plant Production Committee, Standing Committee of Agriculture |
1977 – 81 | Member, Sectional Committee VII, Australian Academy of Science |
1977 – 80 | Member, Australian Research Grants Committee, Department of Science |
1975 – 80 | Member, Standing Committee on Recombinant DNA Research, Australian Academy of Science |
Industry appointments
2004 – 06 | Eminent Scientists Group, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Import Risk Analyses) |
2003 | Governor, Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation |
2003 | Board Member, CRC Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology |
2002 – 06 | Director, Australian Foundation for Science (Australian Academy of Science) |
2002 | Governor, Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation (Jun ‘ Nov 2002) |
2001 | Chairman, Ascentia Pty Ltd (formerly BarleyPlus) |
2001 | Board Member, NSW Centre for Agricultural Genomics |
1999 | Member, Scientific Expert Panel of the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Food Science Bureau |
1999 – 2003 | Board Member, Australian Cotton CRC |
1998 | Chairman, Gene Shears Pty Ltd |
1993 – 99 | Board Member, CRC for Sustainable Cotton Production (renamed Australian Cotton CRC in 1999) |
1992 – 2002 | Member, Research Advisory Board, Goodman Fielder Ltd |
1991 – 98 | Chairman, Gene Shears Board Scientific Subcommittee |
1990 – 2002 | Director, Cotton Research and Development Corporation |
1989 – 98 | Director, Gene Shears Pty Ltd |
1986 | Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board AGEN (Australian Genetic Engineering Co.) |
1985 – 89 | Director, Bioplantech Ltd, State Government of Victoria |
1984 – 87 | Consultant, Agrigenetics Ltd |
1984 | Research Management Adviser, Agrigenetics Ltd |
1983 – 85 | Director, SIRATAC Ltd |
Associated research positions
1992 – 95 | Academic Adviser, Laboratory of Plant Cell & Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing |
1990 | Member, Scientific Advisory Committee to the Rockefeller Foundation for the International Program on Rice Biotechnology |
1991 – 98 | Co-Director, Plant Science Cooperative Research Centre, The Australian National University, Canberra |
1991 | Adjunct Professor, The Australian National University, Canberra |
1985 – 93 | Member, Scientific Council to the Plant Gene Expression Centre, USDA, Albany California |
1977 | Visiting Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology, University of California, Los Angeles |
1970 – 71 | Visiting Professor of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, USA |
1969 – 70 | Adjunct Professor of Biology, University of California, San Diego |
1965 | Research Consultant, Biology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
1964 – 65 | Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Oregon |
Editorial boards of scientific journals
2000 | Editorial Advisory Board, Encyclopaedia of Plant and Crop Science |
1999 – 2000 | Editorial Board, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
1997 | International Advisory Board, Transactions of the Malaysian Society of Plant Physiology |
1997 | Program Advisory Board Member, CAB International |
1990 – 95 | Editorial Board, Biotechnology, Agriculture Book Series, CAB International |
1991 – 94 | Executive Advisory Board, Encyclopedia of Agricultural Sciences, Academic Press |
1989 – 93 | Corresponding Editor, Proceedings of The Royal Society, Series B |
1989 | Editorial Board, Euphytica |
1988 – 94 | Editorial Advisory Board, AgBiotech News & Information, CAB International |
1987 – 91 | Scientific Advisory Board, Australian Journal of Biotechnology |
1987 – 89 | Editorial Board, FASEB Journal |
1986 – 91 | Editorial Board, Plant, Cell and Environment |
1985 – 95 | Editorial Board, Journal of Genetics, India |
1985 – 86 | Editorial Board, Plant Molecular Biology Reporter |
1983 – 88 | Editor, Nucleic Acids Research |
1980 – 89 | Editor, Genetical Research |
1980 – 82 | Editor, Biochemistry International |
1979 – 89 | Advisory Editor, International Review of Cytology |
1979 – 84 | Editorial Advisory Committee, Australian Journal of Biological Sciences |
Sources
- Peacock WJ, 2009, Personal communication.
- Dennis EA, 2008, Interviews with Australian Scientists: Dr Jim Peacock ‘ Plant Scientist (Australian Academy of Science)