The Chairman Mr Harold Mitchell AC, the Director Professor Steven Petrou, and all staff at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health extend their heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Dr Ian Davis, who died from motor neurone disease today.
Ian was diagnosed seven years ago, at the age of 33. Since then, he has been a tireless campaigner for national MND awareness, research, drug discovery and clinical trials.
Alongside Neale Daniher, Ian created FightMND in 2014 and was its Chair for three years. In that role, Ian was instrumental in establishing the Australasian Motor Neurone Disease Symposium in March this year.
The Symposium brought together over 400 international MND researchers and leading global experts to Melbourne to hear about the latest scientific developments, and build collaborative global partnerships in the search for a cure.
Florey Director, Professor Steven Petrou, said: “Ian collaborated very closely with a number of our researchers, particularly Associate Professor Bradley Turner and his MND Laboratory, whose work has benefitted enormously from his fundraising, enthusiasm, scientific rigour and unflagging optimism. I would like to express my deep sorrow at the news of Ian’s passing, and assure everyone that our research and drug discovery efforts will only accelerate with Ian as our inspiration.”
The MND community in Australia and around the world is better for having known Ian, whose legacy will continue to inspire and drive research forward, developing new treatments to slow or halt this beast of a disease.
We send our love to Mel and Archie, and Ian’s extended family.
