Dr Ian Gust is one of Australia's most eminent medical virologists. He is director of the Fairfield Hospital Medical Research Centre which subserves the triple role of National Hepatitis Reference Laboratory, National HTLV-III Reference Laboratory and WHO Collaborating Centre for AIDS in Australia.

Over the past 15 years his group has
undertaken pioneering work in the characterisation and epidemiology of the hepatitis viruses both within this country and the Western Pacific region.

In addition he has made significant contributions to elucidating the natural history of infections with respiratory and enteric viruses (eg rotavirus) and infections acquired in utero.

His scientific achievements are attested to by his excellent publication record of over 150 papers in good journals and by the fact that his laboratory has now become the focal point of virological studies in AIDS.