Mary Campbell

Background

The daughter of Gilbert Joseph Dawbarn and Mary Isabella Macdonald, she was born in Ballarat and moved to South Australia in 1907.

Education

She earned a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Science from the University of Adelaide.

Career

She began work in 1924 as a biochemistry demonstrator at the University. In 1927, she became a research chemist for the Animal Products Research Foundation. While on study leave from 1933 to 1934, she worked at the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine in London and the University of Strasbourg in France.

During World World War II, she conducted research for the Australian armed forces into nutritional requirements.

In 1954, she was named principal research officer for the Division of Biochemistry and General Nutrition at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. She retired in 1963. During her retirement, she travelled for several years and later served as treasurer for the South Australian Ornithological Association.

Dawbarn died in Adelaide at the age of 80.

Achievements

• Dawbarn won a scholarship to the Methodist Ladies College in Adelaide.