Jean Fleming (ONZM)
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| Jean fleming, Professor. |
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Email: jean.fleming@otago.ac.nz
Jean Fleming has returned to the University of Otago after three years in the prawn and parrot paradise of Brisbane, studying the cell biology of ovarian cancer formation and teaching reproduction and physiology at Griffith University.
Jean trained originally in Biochemistry at Victoria University of Wellington, but developed a lifelong interest in reproductive biology while completing an MSc and PhD at the University of Otago's Wellington School of Medicine, in parallel with becoming a mother. Her research on activin and inhibin gene expression in the Booroola sheep led to the award of the first Zonta International Medal for Women in Science in 1990.
Jean's current research focuses on how repeated ovulation increases a woman's risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer, by contributing to ovarian inclusion cyst formation. She hypothesizes that this cancer, which is often lethal because its symptoms go unnoticed, may actually arise via a range of pathways and from a variety of progenitor ovarian epithelial cells. Jean will continue these studies in the Department of Anatomy & Structural Biology. Jean is known internationally for her talks on the role of scientists in the community, the relationships between science and business and the magic of a life in science.
Since her experience as a Commissioner with the New Zealand Royal Commission on Genetic Modification in 2000-2001, these interests have focussed on the perceived impression of molecular biologists and genetic technologies as untrustworthy, and on analysis of the concept that humans shouldn't "play God". She is also an enthusiastic mentor and promoter of science to young people, has been a long-term supporter of women in science and convened Otago's Hands-on Science from 2000-2005. She was also Chair of the Programme Committee for the first Dunedin International Science Festival in 1998. Her commitment to taking her science to the community led to the award of a Suffrage Medal in 1993, a Royal Society of NZ Silver Science & Technology Medal in 1998 and an ONZM for services to science in 2002.
Jean looks forward to developing these roles in the new Centre of Science Communication, promoting Otago as New Zealand's Number 1 research university and Dunedin as New Zealand's City of Science.