Professor Lewin honoured with Doctorate from Aarhus University
The University of Melbourne’s Professor Sharon Lewin AO, Director of the Doherty Institute, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine (Honoris Causa) by Aarhus University in Denmark. This prestigious recognition celebrates her significant contributions and leadership in the field of medicine.
Renowned globally for her pioneering work in HIV cure research, Professor Lewin is also an esteemed infectious diseases physician and the immediate past president of the International AIDS Society (IAS). Her research has been instrumental in establishing laboratory models to study HIV latency and developing innovative assays to measure the viral reservoir, significantly advancing the global understanding and clinical management of HIV.
Distinguished academics, university representatives and dignitaries gathered to honour the remarkable scholars at a ceremony held as part of Aarhus University’s 96th anniversary celebrations.
Professor Lewin has a longstanding connection with Aarhus University, underpinned by the ongoing exchange of researchers starting at the Alfred Hospital and continuing between the Doherty Institute and Aarhus University. Her collaboration with Aarhus-based Associate Professor Thomas Rasmussen spans more than 12 years and has led to new fields of clinical investigation, including the use of a range of cancer drugs to target the HIV reservoir. Their collaboration now includes several clinical trials for HIV cure that have enrolled participants in Aarhus and Melbourne.
Reflecting on the importance of this collaborative relationship, Professor Lewin emphasised the impact it has on their shared mission.
“This vibrant exchange of talent and ideas between the two sites not only strengthens the research capabilities of both institutions, but also accelerates the global effort to find a cure for HIV,” she said.
Professor Lewin expressed her gratitude, acknowledging the significance of the recognition.
“I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this honorary doctorate from Aarhus University. This honour is a testament to the commitment of my team and collaborators but also to the global efforts in the fight against infectious diseases such as HIV,” she said.
“I am incredibly grateful to be part of a community that relentlessly pushes the boundaries of science and medicine. Thank you, Aarhus University; this prestigious acknowledgment is an encouragement to continue our research in pursuit of new discoveries that have the potential to change lives.”
Aarhus University's Rector, Brian Bech Nielsen, described the honorary doctorates as both a recognition of the awardee’s individual achievements and an inspiration to the broader academic community.
In 2023, Professor Lewin received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from La Trobe University and was awarded the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) Outstanding Female Researcher Medal.
