Allan Ferris was one of Australia’s most distinguished microbiologists and a pioneer of the field of clinical virology. Born in Tasmania, Allan studied medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1936. Like a number of distinguished pathologists, microbiologists and public health workers – such as Allan Jackson, Bill Keogh (qv 1), Ian Mackerras (qv 2), Pat de Burgh and Frank Fenner – Allan received much of his training as a microbiologist in the Australian Army Mobile Bacteriology Laboratories during WWII. He was officer-in-charge, 104 Mobile Bacteriological Laboratory, New Guinea and later pathologist to the 2/2 Australian General Hospital.

When Syd Rubbo succeeded Michael Woodruff as professor of bacteriology at the University of Melbourne in 1943, one of his first decisions was to recruit Allan to run the public health laboratories, which he did until 1948. During this period Allan expanded production of antisera for typing salmonellae and introduced phage typing of S. typhi.

In 1948, in search of greater clinical contact, Allan moved to Fairfield Hospital to head the bacteriology laboratory, which at that time comprised one full-time and two part-time microbiologists. Over the next 20 years Allan developed an integrated pathology laboratory, adding biochemistry, haematology and virology services and undertook a variety of laboratory research projects.

In 1948-49, he introduced typing of C.diptheriae and assays for detection of type-specific agglutinins in patients’ serum, and subsequently with Bill Stevenson, began to study leptospirosis, a disease not previously recognised in Victoria.

In the mid 1950’s, the techniques of tissue culture made it possible to isolate a number of viruses. John Forbes, the then medical superintendent persuaded a colleague to donate a substantial sum to create an epidemiological research unit. With additional support from the NHMRC and the Victorian Health Department, the laboratory embarked on a series of classical studies of respiratory and enteric viruses and rubella. Allan’s natural reticence and reluctance to promote his achievements by publishing in major journals, meant that while the accomplishments of his group (especially isolation of the RSV and parainfluenza viruses and a series of classical natural history studies at the Footscray crèche) were well known in Australia, they were less well known internationally.

During the 1950s 60s and 70s, Allan was actively involved in the management of Australian science, through his involvement with the NHMRC and the Australian Society for Microbiology. He became president of the ASM in 1974 and was made an honorary life member in 1978.

During Allan’s period at Fairfield, the Monash University department of microbiology was established with Barrie Marmion as the foundation chairman. From 1965, medical students in their 4th year, spent two weeks living in at Fairfield, doing ward rounds and attending daily tutorials – many of them led by Allan.

In 1971 he resigned from Fairfield Hospital and became a full time member of the Monash Department, transforming the teaching of microbiology making it more clinically relevant and encouraging research. Among his students at Fairfield and Monash were Ian Gust, Stephen Locarnini, Elizabeth Shaw and Tony Coulepis, all of whom have gone on to significant careers.

After Allan retired from Monash University in 1978, he continued to work part-time in a private pathology practice, while devoting himself to his other love, roses. He was a famous rosarian, and president of both the National and Victorian Rose Societies.

A charming, dignified, meticulous and private person who had a long and satisfying life, Allan passed away quietly in September 1997. Thrice married, he is survived by his widow Gwen, two children, Sue and Ian and fondly remembered by countless medical students and colleagues who were fortunate enough to have him as a teacher or mentor.