It is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of our one-of- a-kind, generous, endlessly enthusiastic and curious, funny, brilliant Director of Twins Research Australia, Professor John Hopper AM, who led our Centre for nearly 35 years.
John was a pioneering Australian genetic epidemiologist and twin researcher whose work transformed our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors influencing human health globally.
In 1990, he was appointed Director of the Australian Twin Registry, now known as Twins Research Australia, based at the University of Melbourne. Under his leadership, TRA has grown to become one of the world’s largest twin registries, with over 75,000 multiple-birth members.
John was well known by our many members who participated in his studies for his groundbreaking research into the causes of breast cancer. He also mentored and supported over 120 researchers who conducted more than 230 studies through TRA in diverse areas including epilepsy, melanoma, ageing, heart disease, diabetes and mental health.
He was constantly inspired by the willing, and immeasurable, contribution of twins and the multiple-birth community to TRA’s health research. As he often said, none of the Centre’s discoveries would have been possible without them.
He loved meeting TRA’s twin members of all ages and never missed an opportunity to shake their hands or hear their stories. He believed strongly in ‘giving back’ to TRA members by supporting research into health concerns of multiple-birth families and conducting special events like twin festivals and health forums.
He was especially proud to be appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for his service to public health including the Australian Twin Registry. It was also Professor Hopper who encouraged the then Princess Mary of Denmark (herself a mother of twins) to become TRA’s International Patron in 2013, an invaluable association for twin research globally which continued for the next 10 years.
While we mourn John, we are fortunate he has shone a light for us on the path ahead. He
educated, inspired, collaborated and mentored across decades of his career and personal life. We now are honoured to step forward, ensuring he and his legacy are never forgotten. The foundations he laid will now inspire us to build on his life’s work of achieving better health for all.
Comments, stories and memories are welcome at our online remembrance card for John.
With thanks,
Professor Jeff Craig and Dr Sue Malta
Deputy Directors
Twins Research Australia
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
The University of Melbourne
