The Influenza Specialist Group is delighted that one of its founding members, Professor William (Bill) Rawlinson, became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) on Australia Day 2011. The award was given for his service to the medical sciences as a clinician, educator and researcher in the disciplines of virology and pathology.

Professor Rawlinson is a Director of the Influenza Specialist Group, with a keen interest in influenza. He is also a molecular virologist with particular scientific expertise in herpes viruses (CMV), hepatitis viruses (HCV), gastroenteritis agents (NLV), and endogenous retroviruses. His contributions to science includes new testing algorithms for common viral illnesses, sequencing and analysis of the murine CMV genome, unique studies of congenital CMV and the placenta, unique data on endogenous viruses and cancer, and he continues to directly supervise projects within these areas. Professor Rawlinson has received awards in science (The Fenner Prize in Microbiology, The Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarship in Medicine, Glaxo award for advanced research in infectious diseases, Fellowship of the Australian Society for Microbiology, The Eric de Bunsen award King's College), and is on advisory boards to the NSW and Commonwealth Departments of Health.

His fellow ISG members and Directors congratulate him on achieving this well-deserved recognition.