Professor Richard Scolyer AO has been admitted to the degree of Doctor of Medicine (honoris causa) by the University of Sydney. 

The melanoma scientist and 2024 joint Australian of the Year received the award at a ceremony on Tuesday, 28 April in recognition of his transformational work on the diagnosis and pathological characterisation of melanoma through pioneering pathology, translational cancer research and his global medical and research leadership. 

The ceremony was presided over by Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO. Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Annamarie Jagose OAM read the citation, and the presenting dean was Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Medical School Professor Jane Bleasel.  

“It is our great privilege to bestow this honour in recognition of Richard’s lifelong commitment to discovery and the advancement of melanoma science, and his unwavering dedication to helping others through his research work,” said Professor Scott. 

“As one of Australia’s most influential medical scientists, Richard’s work has had an extraordinary impact on research, cancer diagnostics and internationally adopted standards, improving outcomes for melanoma patients around the world.

"His academic and scientific vision is matched by remarkable personal courage and an extraordinary determination to help change the future for others. Diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023, as a patient Richard has continued to contribute to the new frontiers in brain cancer treatment, undergoing experimental therapy based on melanoma science that colleagues here helped develop, with a great determination to change the trajectory of brain cancer treatment globally."

Professor Jagose said: “Richard has been at the forefront of transforming the diagnosis and pathological understanding of melanoma, through pioneering advances in pathology practice and research.” 
 
“His leadership has been vital in the development of the world’s gold standard melanoma staging and the most comprehensive molecular profiling of melanoma.” 
 
In his address to the cohort, Richard offered his sincere congratulations to everyone who graduated on Tuesday.  

"What I want to say is this: graduation is not an end point. It is the beginning of a lifetime of learning and curiosity,” he said.  

“That kind of thinking led me to work on research that changed advanced melanoma from a certain death to a disease that can now be cured in many people.” 

“What you do matters. The questions you ask and the courage you show can change lives. Be brave, be bold, and challenge the status quo. With you, the future is in good hands. Congratulations to the class of 2026.” 

A career dedicated to melanoma science

Richard’s early years set the foundation for an exceptional career in medicine, marked by a steady progression through some of the most respected qualifications in the field. After completing a Bachelor of Medical Science, he advanced to earn his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, establishing his clinical grounding.  

His commitment to research and academic excellence led him to pursue a Doctor of Medicine, deepening his expertise in pathology and melanoma research. 

As his career developed, Richard achieved prestigious professional recognition, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists in the United Kingdom – credentials that reflect his international standing in diagnostic pathology.  

His contributions to medical science and leadership in cancer research were further acknowledged through his election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, underscoring his influence on both national and global health advancement. 

As Co-Medical Director of the Melanoma Institute Australia, he was at the forefront of major improvements in the diagnosis, management and survival outcomes of melanoma, especially through his pioneering pathology research and the development of internationally adopted guidelines for the clinical management of melanoma. 

With more than 1,000 peer reviewed publications, he is regarded as a preeminent authority in dermatopathology and a driving force behind innovations that have reshaped cancer care.  

His global influence is reflected in his service on the WHO Editorial Board for the Classification of Skin Tumours and as Vice Chair of the Melanoma Expert Panel for the American Joint Committee on Cancer, where his expertise continues to shape international standards. 

His contributions have been recognised through the nation’s highest honours, including being named Australian of the Year in 2024 (jointly with Professor Georgina Long AO) for groundbreaking melanoma research and clinical impact. He was the first pathologist to receive the NSW Premier’s Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year Award in 2020, and his international standing is affirmed by the Society for Melanoma Research Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, the ASDP Founders’ Award, and the IAP Distinguished Pathologist Medal also in 2023. In 2021 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to medicine and international professional organisations. 

Beyond his scientific achievements, Richard is a dedicated mentor, a champion for equitable cancer care in regional and Indigenous communities, and a national leader shaping cancer policy. His career exemplifies innovation, integrity and service. 

Hero image: Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Annamarie Jagose, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott, Professor Richard Scolyer AO, Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Medical School Professor Jane Bleasel and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professor John Prins (left to right).