Emeritus Professor Ainslie Glenister Ross Sheil AO (51-55), has been awarded the prestigious UQ College Alumni of the Year Award.
Recognised for his outstanding work as a medical researcher and practitioner, and celebrated for his pioneering contributions to organ transplantation, Professor Sheil began his medical studies at UQ, where he excelled both academically and athletically.
He represented St John’s College in cricket, rugby, athletics, swimming, and rowing, earning a College Blue and UQ Half Blue in 1951, followed by a UQ Full Blue in 1952. Additionally, he played for UQ’s Rugby Union team, contributing to their six premiership victories from 1952 to 1957. In 1955, Ross also served as the Student Club President at St John’s College.
Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1956, he studied surgery at University of Oxford and conducted pioneering research in organ transplantation before training at Harvard with Nobel laureate Dr Joseph E Murray.
Professor Sheil led the first liver transplant in Australia at age 34 and directed the Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit (ANLTU) from 1986 to 2001, achieving significant advancements in transplantation techniques and patient outcomes. He was a foundation member of the Australian Kidney Foundation and Inaugural President of The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Professor Sheil has published over 400 research papers and provided mentorship to emerging researchers through the supervision of numerous postgraduate students. His contributions have earned him a range of accolades, including as Officer of the Order of Australia.
Professor Sheil is an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College and St John’s College 2023 Alumni of the Year recipient, recognised for his exceptional academic and professional achievements. Since first joining St John’s as a student in 1951, he has remained a highly regarded member of the community, embodying the Johnian values of excellence and integrity.