With BSc Special and PhD degrees from the University of London, Professor Norman Palmer spent much of his early career at the Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School in London, now part of Imperial College. In 1990, Norman moved to UWA as Professor of Biochemistry before moving to James Cook University (JCU) in 1997 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation).
At UWA, Norman had various roles, including as Acting Executive Dean of Medicine and Dentistry, and Deputy Chair of the Academic Board. At JCU, Norman represented the university on the Boards of multiple companies and research consortia, including nine Cooperative Research Centres. Following his retirement from JCU, Norman returned to UWA as Special Projects Director of the Perron Institute, WA’s oldest medical research institute. There, he helped shape the development and renewal of the institute, which more than trebled in size and productivity over the eleven years he was at the institute.
Most important experiences while at UWA
After working previously in a medical school in London, I found coming to the multi-disciplinary world of UWA with its iconic campus a genuinely liberating experience. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity UWA provides to interact with colleagues from such diverse backgrounds. The latter part of my career – post-retirement age – took me back into the sphere of medical research at the Perron Institute.
Where did you think you would end up, when you began your career?
My first degree was in botany and my PhD in biochemistry. Even as an undergraduate, I knew that I was destined to pursue an academic career but had no idea what shape this would take. Coming to UWA was a major step forward but I never anticipated that I would then move into a management role, ultimately as a DVCR at James Cook University
What are some of your most significant achievements?
As a researcher, I worked in the areas of carbohydrate biochemistry, metabolism, and metabolic disorders, including diabetes and alcohol abuse. Probably my most important contribution was improving our understanding of the leading role played by muscle in the metabolism of dietary glucose. As a DVCR, I helped shape Australia’s approach to tropical science and innovation as a national priority.
What has been the most interesting aspect of your career?
Looking back, I realise now how much I enjoyed working hands-on in the laboratory, something I continued to do for many years. Secondly, I got a tremendous kick out of teaching students since my specialist area – metabolism – integrates so many aspects of biochemistry. Finally, as a professor and beyond, I got a lot of satisfaction out of pioneering new developments such as new courses and changes in research policy.
Where are you planning to go from here? Are there new interests you are looking to get involved in?
I still play an active role in research working with colleagues at the Personalised Medicine Centre at Murdoch University and take great pleasure out of being involved in research that is having a real-life impact on the lives of children with genetic disorders. Aside from this, we travel a lot and have discovered the enormous pleasure of being grandparents.