Nancy Millis
Encyclopedia
Emeritus Professor Nancy Fannie Millis AC (born 10 April 1922) is an Australia
n microbiologist
, who introduced fermentation
technologies to Australia, and created the first applied microbiology course taught in an Australian university.
Nancy Millis was born in Melbourne
in 1922, she was the fifth child of six. She attended high school at Merton Hall, an Anglican girls grammar school, but had to leave before completing her studies when her father had a heart attack. She attended business college, the worked for a customs agent and then as a technician at the CSIRO. Millis Matriculated part-time, taking two years to complete her high school studies. The University of Melbourne
refused her entry into the bachelor of science
, however she could gain entry to the degree of agricultural science, in 1945 she graduated with a BAgSc, and went on to complete a master's degree studying the soil organism, Pseudomonas in 1946.
Millis travelled to Papua New Guinea
with the Department of External Affairs to teach women agricultural methods. However her posting was cut short due to serious illness and she was airlifted to hospital in Brisbane
. After recovering from her illness she applied for a Boots Research Scholarship at the University of Bristol
. She spent three years at Bristol working on the fermentation of cider
, and microoganisms that can affect the process.
When she completed her PhD
in 1951, Millis returned to Australia; she had hoped to work for Carlton United Brewery, but at that time they did not employ women in their laboratories. She joined the Department of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne in 1952 she worked as a demonstrator and then as a lecturer, setting up the Applied Microbiology course at the University. In 1954 Millis was awarded a Fulbright Travel Grant, she went to Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford
and worked with C B Van Neil, and then to the Institute of Applied Microbiology at the University of Tokyo
.
Millis was the Chancellor of La Trobe University
from 1992 until her retirement in 2006. She is a Companion of the Order of Australia
(AC).
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n microbiologist
Microbiologist
A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
, who introduced fermentation
Fermentation (biochemistry)
Fermentation is the process of extracting energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, using an endogenous electron acceptor, which is usually an organic compound. In contrast, respiration is where electrons are donated to an exogenous electron acceptor, such as oxygen,...
technologies to Australia, and created the first applied microbiology course taught in an Australian university.
Nancy Millis was born in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1922, she was the fifth child of six. She attended high school at Merton Hall, an Anglican girls grammar school, but had to leave before completing her studies when her father had a heart attack. She attended business college, the worked for a customs agent and then as a technician at the CSIRO. Millis Matriculated part-time, taking two years to complete her high school studies. The University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
refused her entry into the bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
, however she could gain entry to the degree of agricultural science, in 1945 she graduated with a BAgSc, and went on to complete a master's degree studying the soil organism, Pseudomonas in 1946.
Millis travelled to Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
with the Department of External Affairs to teach women agricultural methods. However her posting was cut short due to serious illness and she was airlifted to hospital in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. After recovering from her illness she applied for a Boots Research Scholarship at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
. She spent three years at Bristol working on the fermentation of cider
Cider
Cider or cyder is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 2% abv to 8.5% abv or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and America, cider may be termed "apple wine"...
, and microoganisms that can affect the process.
When she completed her PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1951, Millis returned to Australia; she had hoped to work for Carlton United Brewery, but at that time they did not employ women in their laboratories. She joined the Department of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne in 1952 she worked as a demonstrator and then as a lecturer, setting up the Applied Microbiology course at the University. In 1954 Millis was awarded a Fulbright Travel Grant, she went to Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
and worked with C B Van Neil, and then to the Institute of Applied Microbiology at the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
.
Millis was the Chancellor of La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
from 1992 until her retirement in 2006. She is a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AC).