Honorary Doctor of Science
Citation delivered by Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) at the University of Wollongong on the occasion of the admission of William Ashley Buttemer as a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) on 29 October 2024.
Vice-Chancellor, I present Professor William Buttemer.
William Buttemer is internationally recognised for his significant and substantial contributions to the field of physiological ecology. As a child in California, William displayed an innate curiosity about nature, but it was not until late in undergraduate studies that his inquisitiveness found focus. A subject concerning the evolutionary interactions between animals and their environments ignited a passion that guided William through his academic pursuits and beyond.
William's academic journey was marked by perseverance and adaptability. While funding his undergraduate studies through multiple jobs, he earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Zoology from San Diego State University in 1973, relocating shortly after to complete a PhD at the University of Michigan. Several years of post-doctoral studies followed, each chosen to extend his capacity for appraising the physiological responses of animals to perturbations in their natural environment.
These early years expanded William’s horizons and set the stage for a career of groundbreaking, curiosity-driven research. Across the extreme cold of North American winters, the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, and rugged desert landscapes of Australia, Professor Buttemer has studied how animals cope with challenging environments. His first publication in the prestigious journal Science, examining how small birds cope with extreme cold, was just the beginning of a prolific career that would see him author over 110 scientific papers and accumulate more than 7000 citations.
In 1992, William joined the University of Wollongong, marking the beginning of a relationship that would prove mutually beneficial. Rising through the ranks from Lecturer to Professor, he made a lasting impact on the then School of Biological Sciences. As Head of School, he led significant curriculum reviews, helped drive the establishment of the Ecological Research Centre, and obtained vital ARC funding to enhance UOW's research capabilities.
William’s ability to inspire and sustain curiosity in others has contributed substantially to nurturing the next generation of scientists. He has an impressive record of fostering research, with more than half of his honours students publishing their results as first authors. Notably, five of his former research students are now well-established academics at Australian universities.
Professor Buttemer's impact extends far beyond the confines of academia. His research on endangered species like the Gould's Petrel and the Green and Golden Bell Frog has contributed significantly to conservation efforts. His studies on the ecological impacts of pesticides on non-target native species have informed environmental policy and he was recruited as a member of the Ecological Advisory Committee for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Even in retirement, Professor Buttemer's scientific activities continue. His ongoing research into the effects of avian disease on Afro-European bird migration, and his recent appointment to the NSW National Parks South Coast Regional Advisory Committee demonstrate his enduring commitment to scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship.
William Buttemer's career embodies the essence of scientific exploration - the willingness to follow where curiosity and data lead, the openness to new discoveries, and the ability to see the interconnectedness of life across diverse ecosystems.
Vice-Chancellor, it is a privilege and pleasure to present Professor William Buttemer for admission to the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.