Person

Christian, John Hinton Bassett (1925 - 2024)

AO FTSE

Born
26 March 1925
Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
Died
9 May 2024
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation
Microbiologist and Science administrator

Summary

John Christian was internationally recognised for his research into the effects of water relations on microbial growth, particularly in relation to food poisoning. He joined the CSIRO Division of Food Preservation and Transport in 1951, ultimately becoming Chief of the Division of Food Research. For over 30 years he collaborated closely with his divisional colleagues in this research. As Chief he had to navigate restricted budgets and loss of staff, and was much respected for his management of the Division. Christian was considered a world expert on food hygiene. He was heavily involved in the development of food hygiene standards including internationally. For 20 years he was a Member (and Chairman for 11) of the International Commission for Microbiological Specifications for Foods, while also serving for extended periods on expert committees for the FAO, WHO, International Atomic Energy Agency, and Codex Alimentarius Commission. Christian was a foundation Member of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences. His contributions to the Academy (and its successor included as a Member of Council and a number of committees, and an active participant in the New South Wales Branch

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Details

Chronology

1943 - 1945
Military service - Served in the Royal Australian Air Force
1950?
Education - BAgSc, University of Sydney
1951
Career position - Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Food Preservation and Transport
1956
Education - PhD, University of Cambridge
1970
Career event - Appointed Chairman, Food Standards Committee
1971 - 1972
Career position - President, Australian Society for Microbiology
1971 - 1980
Career position - Member, International Commission for Microbiological Specifications for Foods
1976 - 1987
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (FTS)
1979 - 1986
Career position - Chief, CSIRO Division of Food Research
1980 - 1991
Career position - Chairman, International Commission for Microbiological Specifications for Foods
1987
Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of services to science, particularly in the field of microbiology
1987 - 2024
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) [Awarded by AATS 1976]
1990 - ?
Career position - Honorary Research Fellow, CSIRO
2014 - 2024
Career position - Member, Agriculture Forum, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Published resources

Journal Articles

  • Anon, 'Publications of Dr J. H. B. Christian', CSIRO food research quarterly, 50 (1) (1990), 25-9. Details
  • Anon, 'Dr John Hinton Christian', Impact: magazine of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, 217 (2024), 56. Details
  • Christian, J. H. B., ' Food research in the 1980s', CSIRO food research quarterly, 42 (3/4) (1982), 45-51. Details
  • Christian, J. H. B., 'The impact of microbiological advances and problems on Australian food exports - an historical perspective', CSIRO food research quarterly, 49 (1) (1989), 19-24. Details
  • Grau, F. H., 'Dr J. H. B. Christian's contributions to international food microbiology', CSIRO food research quarterly, 50 (1) (1990), 12-6. Details
  • Pitt, J. I., 'John Christian retires', Food Australia, 42 (1990), 289. Details
  • Pitt, J. L., 'Dr J. H. B. Christian and his role in the understanding of microbial water relations', CSIRO food research quarterly, 50 (1) (1990), 7-11. Details
  • Walker, D. J., 'John Christian, Chief of the Division, 1979 - 1986', CSIRO food research quarterly, 59 (1) (1990), 5-7. Details

Resources

See also

Rosanne Walker and Helen Cohn

Created: 25 May 2001, Last modified: 21 November 2024

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