Emeritus Professor
Citation delivered by Professor Kylie Mansfield, Associate Professor Medical Sciences, at the University of Wollongong on the occasion of the admission of Peter McLennan as an Emeritus Professor on 23 April 2026.
Chancellor, I present to you Professor Peter McLennan.
Few academic careers demonstrate such sustained commitment to a single, globally significant field as that of Professor Peter McLennan. For more than four decades, Peter has remained at the forefront of nutrition and health research, through a career that has advanced medical science, strengthened medical education and enriched the intellectual life of the University of Wollongong.
Peter’s academic journey began with studies in physiology and pharmacology at Monash University, where he completed his doctoral training and published his first research in the late 1970s. He then spent 15 years with CSIRO as Principal Research Scientist in Human Nutrition, building a strong foundation in translational science that would define his later work. In 1997, he joined UOW as Associate Professor, co-founding and becoming Director of the Smart Foods Centre, before being appointed in 2006 to the establishing team of the Graduate School of Medicine. Over 15 years, he served as Academic Lead for Medical Sciences and Foundation Professor of Physiology, playing a central role in the development and successful accreditation of the University’s medical program until his retirement in 2020, and continuing since as an Honorary Professorial Fellow.
Peter is internationally recognised for pioneering contributions to nutritional physiology, particularly in understanding the cardio-protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids.
His research established a new paradigm demonstrating how nutritional preconditioning of cardiac tissue could reduce fatal arrhythmias, improve muscle function and support healthy ageing. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and decades of sustained influence, his work has informed dietary guidelines, clinical thinking and public health strategies aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease through accessible and evidence-based interventions.
Peter was instrumental in designing an integrated, clinically focused medical sciences curriculum that aligned foundational science with medical practice. His teaching, recognised through institutional and national awards, is remembered for its clarity, breadth and generosity of spirit. As a mentor, he has supervised more than 25 higher degree researchers and guided scores of medical students, many of whom now hold influential roles in academia, clinical practice and public health.
Known for his integrity, collegial leadership and tireless commitment to the University community, Peter has continued to contribute extensively since retirement through teaching, research leadership and service. His legacy is visible in the strength of the medical program he helped build, the research culture he fostered and the generations of scholars he continues to inspire.
Chancellor, it is my privilege to present Professor Peter McLennan for admission as an Emeritus Professor.