Vale Mary-Louise McLaws, researcher and global advocate in infectious diseases and public health

UNSW Sydney has paid tribute to Professor Emeritus Mary-Louise McLaws AO, who worked tirelessly as a world-leading epidemiologist with expertise in hospital infection and infectious diseases control. She played a hugely influential role in spearheading major widespread improvements in infection control, helping save innumerable lives over the last 30-plus years.  

In her most recent position as Professor of Epidemiology, Healthcare Infection and Infectious Diseases Control in UNSW Medicine & Health, Prof. McLaws became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic. She provided considered, calm and life-saving information through countless media interviews for television, radio and newspapers in Australia and across the globe. Viewers became accustomed to seeing her perfectly symmetrical bookcase against a bright blue wall and her stylish eyewear on the evening news. Her expertise and advice were also sought by the world’s leading health organisations.

UNSW Chancellor David Gonski AC said, “We mourn the passing of a UNSW academic who was locally grown and became a superstar while remaining tenacious, humble, hardworking and caring. We are grateful for all she did for UNSW and Australia, she will not be forgotten”.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed his admiration for Prof. McLaws.

“You spoke truth, you took on the pandemic of disinformation, you helped keep us safe, for that we owe you so much.”

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said Prof. McLaws was outstanding in her contribution to public health in Australia and globally.

“Her wealth of knowledge and experience was invaluable during the recent COVID-19 pandemic when she tirelessly responded to media enquiries and became such a trusted voice.

“She was also a highly valued member of the UNSW community and will be deeply missed by her students and colleagues.”

Professor Vlado Perkovic, Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health and Acting Provost – Faculties, said Prof. McLaws was a formidable force and will be dearly missed.

“Her 36 years in UNSW Medicine & Health were marked by her ground-breaking research, unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of improvements in infection control helping save innumerable lives. While the world got to know her as a scientific and informed expert, here at UNSW, we were so fortunate to call her a colleague, mentor and educator. I thank her for her enormous achievements and contributions, and extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends and community.”

Mary-Louise McLaws at UNSW

In mid-December 2022, Prof. McLaws joined more than 100 guests who gathered at UNSW to celebrate her lifetime of achievements and contributions.

Nine inspiring speakers, including Mr Turnbull, Dr Kerry Chant AO, NSW’s Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health, UNSW’s Chancellor and video messages from colleagues around the world, including from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Israel, as well as some of her PhD students, spoke about her pioneering infection control expertise.

Mr Gonski announced the UNSW Mary-Louise McLaws AO Clinical Education Rooms, a teaching and education space in UNSW’s eastern extension of the new Prince of Wales Acute Services Building. Prof. McLaws was thrilled with the space, chosen for its proximity to the hospital’s new infectious disease unit.

UNSW announced the Mary-Louise McLaws AO Research Student Support Award to help students achieve a PhD in the School of Population Health. In recognition of her distinguished service to academic work and the development of the University, Mr Gonski also announced the award of Professor Emeritus to Prof. McLaws.

Joining UNSW during her PhD candidature in the mid-80s, Prof. McLaws continued as an academic in the faculty of Medicine & Health. She attributed much of her drive and success to her PhD supervisor and mentor, the late Professor David Cooper AC. He was in the process of setting up his research laboratory when the two met in 1986 and he was quick to recognise her potential. Prof. Cooper invited Prof. McLaws to work for him.

Prof. McLaws’s motivation to enrich the UNSW community and society at large appeared to be inexhaustible. Her contributions to teaching in the School of Population Health showed great dedication, energy and drive towards her students. She excelled in her role as a mentor and advisor. Prof. McLaws proudly supported PhD candidates throughout her career and focused on infection control in many countries including Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Mali, Indonesia, Iran, Vietnam, Taiwan and Turkey.

One of Prof. McLaws’ former PhD students Dr Kathy Dempsey now works at NSW Health Clinical Excellence Commission.

“Words can’t express the loss, yet words were her wisdom. She was an amazing, accomplished and giving woman who has left a mark on so many. Mary-Louise was inspirational, setting new boundaries for infection prevention and control,” Dr Dempsey said.

“It is almost unbelievable she is gone, but she will not be forgotten. Our collective hearts go out to all who knew her and, of course, to her loving family.”

During her time at UNSW Medicine & Health, Prof. McLaws balanced her university commitments with travelling around the world, advising governments, health professionals and NGOs. She was an influential member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Program Experts Advisory Panel for Infection Prevention and Control Preparedness, Readiness and Response to COVID-19 and member of the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission COVID Infection Prevention and Control taskforce. She was a focal point for WHO at UNSW.

Prof. McLaws wrote 180 scientific papers, advancing understanding, debate and the methods of research on infection control in Australia. She was on the boards of numerous associations and professional publications and, in 2017, she became a member of the UNSW Academic Board.

In June 2022, Prof. McLaws was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division “for distinguished service to medical research, particularly to epidemiology and infection prevention, to tertiary education, and to health administration” in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Prof. McLaws was diagnosed with brain cancer in January 2022. She died on 12 August, aged 70.