OBITUARY

Dr Neil Willetts died 09/02/2026

Dr Neil Willetts FTSE passed away on 9/2/2026. A leading figure in Australian biotechnology, he was elected to the Academy in 1991 and spent many years as a member of the NSW Division.

Across a long career in biotechnology around the world, he spent time in research and industry translation in the UK following his studies, then in Mexico, the US and Australia. He was Director of Research and Development at Biotech Australia from 1982 to 1997.

He had the rare privilege of being joined as Fellow by his daughter Professor Juliet Willetts FTSE in 2025.

Professor Neil Willetts fulfills several criteria for election to fellowship to the Academy: 1. His outstanding achievements and leadership as Research Director
of Biotech Australia; he has been responsible for building up the research facilities, staff and project portfolio to the point where
it has international recognition.
2. His international reputation as a scientist through many publications, building up over the years bef'ore entering industry and his continued high standing in the scientific community through his lectures and presented papers on biotechnology.
3. His achievements and contributions towards developing biotechnology in Australia including fulfilling the role as a visting Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Sydney University and as a Director of the Australian Biotechnology Association. He would certainly be considered as a leading figure in Australian biotechnolgy.