ATHOUGH Eugenie Lumbers has had a passion for science that has stretched over decades, and has created an enormous legacy in the field of science and research, being named a (AM) Member in the general division of the Order of Australia came as “a total bolt out of the blue.”
Emeritus Scientia Professor Lumbers has contributed to a wide field of physiological and pharmacological science, particularly with her remarkable research into the physiology of the foetus. She believes science and technology makes the world go round and has always been spurred by a curiosity with the human body.
After a long and successful career, Eugenie is still very much active in the science world. She is currently involved in three separate arms of research with colleagues spread worldwide.
Eugenie grew up in Adelaide where she studied a doctorate in medicine and her PhD.
A significant achievement in her early career was her being awarded the CJ Martin fellowship being the first woman to receive the prestigious accolade requiring her to study at Oxford University. So, Eugenie, her husband Bill Forbes and their two children set off to Britain to live.
In her early days, she discovered a precursor molecule linked to high blood pressure which she said changed people’s ways of thinking. Her passion has always been in maternal health and the foetus, an area that fascinated her during the pregnancies with her three children. Her research has focused on the effect the quality of life of a pregnant mother with has on the unborn foetus and its susceptibility to disease when it grows up.
Eugenie’s dedication to her field of science resulted in her setting up her own research team with colleagues who carried out research on the physiology of the foetus and development of its kidney and circulation. Although now she admits her eyes and hands aren’t suited to the laboratory anymore, she commits herself to academia and research.
She is currently supervising three PhD students at the University of Newcastle and Queensland.
“I have achieved what I have because I think science is exciting and worth doing. I encourage those with a passion for science to pursue it. There are an awful, awful lot of problems to solve in the world,” Eugenie said.
For Eugenie, science has been an unbelievably creative field that is not recognised as being so.
“As Einstein said, we stand on the shoulder of the giants that went before but as well, I think there has to be a creative leap where you try something new, and that can be hard.”
Eugenie is a humble woman who credits the contribution of her colleagues at any opportunity. Although proud to be recognised for her work, she admitted she nearly fell over backwards when she received the letter.
“Someone thought to put my name in, and for that I’m really appreciative,” she said.
Eugenie found the Manning Valley after a visit in 1998 to their daughter, Nicola’s parents-in-law.
Bill well and truly fell in love with the area and the whole environment and insisted the family spend time in the area on a trip north to a medical conference where Eugenie was speaking. The property where they are now living in Kippaxs, north of Wingham, was on the market, so they decided to buy it. It was originally a holiday destination but now is their home full time.
Eugenie describes her property as “very beautiful country” and marvels at the fact she can continue to work and communicate with her colleagues via satellite and the internet.
After a lifetime of achievements and a dazzling professional career, Eugenie reflects on her husband Bill’s support as vital in all her endeavours.
“We have had fun but both lived very different lives. He does his thing and I do mine.”
Eugenie considers herself lucky to have had freedom and support in her life, but thinks that it is much harder for young women to have a career. She believes social pressures placed on women to be the primary carer for children can be difficult to overcome.
Away from the science world, Eugenie is a keen sailor having spent many years on the water sailing the east coast of Australia. The couple now takes pleasure in the scenery of their property by horseback, trail riding.
Eugenie and Bill’s daughter, Nicola Moreton works in Wingham. Their other daughters Alexandra and Eloise live in Sydney and Melbourne respectively.
Receiving the AM on Australia Day has impelled Eugenie to look back on her rewarding career in science. She has enjoyed the ‘eureka’ moments of research and felt satisfaction in publishing numerous scientific papers. She treasures most being a teacher to many medical and science students.
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