JCU academic flying high

Full Members of the Academy or Academicians are selected for their outstanding contribution to aerospace medicine or recognise the eminent position they hold in this field or both. Full Membership is limited to 250 globally.

“It is a great honour to be selected by the Academy,” Professor Leggat said.

“It was a special privilege to know that my Academy nomination was championed by two of Australia’s leading aerospace medicine specialists,” he added.

The Academy was founded in 1955, its objective being the promotion and search for new knowledge in aerospace medicine, as well as contributing to international co-operation among those devoted to education and research in this particular field.

Aerospace medicine includes aviation and space medicine, the fields of medicine concerned with the maintenance of health, safety and performance of all those involved in aviation and space travel, in particular pilots and aircrew, but also all those involved in spaceflight.

Professor Leggat is currently Professor and Deputy Dean in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences at JCU. The College conducts one of the largest postgraduate public health programs in Australia, including specialisations in fields such as tropical and travel medicine, aeromedical retrieval and disaster health.

Professor Leggat is also the Dean of Education of The Australasian College of Aerospace Medicine, a professional organisation that oversees training and recognition of doctors working in aerospace medicine.

He will be invested as an Academician at a ceremony in Rome in 2017.