One of Mater Research’s longest-serving researchers has been honoured with a Lifetime Service Award from the International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH), recognising his decades-long contribution to the global haematology research community.
Professor Jean-Pierre Levesque, who leads the Stem Cell Biology Research Group, joined Mater Research in 2005 from Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Over a distinguished career, his research into leukaemia, bone marrow and stem cell biology has helped advance treatment options for patients.
Most recently, Prof Levesque and his team solved a century-old medical mystery, uncovering why some patients who experience severe spinal cord or brain injuries develop debilitating bone growth around joints such as the hips and shoulders.
Alongside his scientific achievements, Prof Levesque has been a dedicated and influential member of ISEH for more than two decades. He has served on the Society’s Board of Directors, contributed to its Scientific Program Committee, helped organise the 2019 Annual Meeting in Brisbane and regularly participated as faculty in its pre-meeting workshops.
He has also played a significant role in the Society’s journal, Experimental Hematology, serving as Associate Editor from 2017 to 2022 and continuing to support the publication as a reviewer and author.
His most enduring contribution has been to the Society’s long-term financial sustainability. When he became Treasurer in 2012, ISEH held no external investments. He established the investment portfolio that continues to underpin the Society today and founded the ISEH Finance Committee, which he chaired before remaining an active member for many years. He retired from the committee just two years ago.
His leadership helped place the Society on a strong financial footing, ensuring it could continue to support its annual meetings, journal and member programs without compromising quality or accessibility.
ISEH colleagues describe Prof Levesque as a model of quiet, sustained leadership, generous with his time and committed to helping the Society thrive for future generations of researchers.
Mater Research Executive Director Professor Allison Pettit said the recognition reflected both Prof Levesque’s remarkable contributions and the culture that has enabled many researchers to build long and successful careers at Mater Research.
“The fact that so many distinguished researchers have chosen to dedicate much of their careers to Mater Research is a powerful testament to the strength of our culture and the inspiring environment we’ve cultivated,” Professor Pettit said.
“On behalf of everyone at Mater Research, thank you, JP, for your service to the research community and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”
Prof Levesque said Mater Research had provided an exceptional environment for translational research.
“It’s given me the opportunity to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world patient care,” he said.
“Brisbane is also a fantastic and collaborative city for research. Just recently, a patient who saw our work in the news reached out to us. We were able to connect directly with their healthcare team and share insights from our research that could help inform their care.
“That kind of direct impact is what makes this work so meaningful.”
At the end of 2026, Professor Levesque will begin a well-earned retirement alongside his wife and longtime research collaborator, Associate Professor Ingrid Winkler. The pair have worked together since 1997, leaving a lasting legacy in stem cell and haematology research.
