Cathryn Jean Mittelheuser (born 1932) is a retired Australian

botanist Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, taxonomy, and Plant ecology, ecology. A botanist or plant scientist is a scientist who s ...

Early life

Mittelheuser grew up with her older sister Margaret Mittelheuser on their parents'

sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...

farm near

Bundaberg, Queensland Bundaberg () is the major regional city in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the ninth largest city in the state. The Bundaberg central business district is situated along the southern bank of the Burnett ...

. Graduating from Brisbane Girls Grammar School in 1949, Mittelheuser then studied at the

University of Queensland The University of Queensland is a Public university, public research university located primarily in Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. Founded in 1909 by the Queensland parliament, UQ is one of the six sandstone ...

Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...

, graduating with a

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, B.S., B.Sc., SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree that is awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Scienc ...

and a

University Medal A University Medal is one of several types of award conferred by university, universities upon outstanding students or members of staff. The usage and status of university medals differ between countries and between universities. As award on grad ...

in 1968. Following her graduation, Mittelheuser completed a

PhD A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research. The name of the deg ...

Biological Sciences Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It is a broad natural science that encompasses a wide range of fields and unifying principles that explain the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of ...

in 1971 before working in the university's botany department where she was a

senior research fellow A research fellow is an academic research position at a university or a similar research institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a p ...

from 1971 until 1976 and acting lecturer in third year

cell physiology Cell physiology is the biological study of the activities that take place in a cell to keep it alive. The term ''physiology'' refers to normal functions in a living organism. Animal cells, plant cells and microorganism cells show similarities in ...

in 1975 and 1976. From 1971 until 1976, Mittelheuser was a

postdoctoral researcher A postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral researcher, or simply postdoc, is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD). Postdocs most commonly, but not always, have a temporary acade ...

after being awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the

CSIRO The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government agency that is responsible for scientific research and its commercial and industrial applications. CSIRO works with leading organisations arou ...

Career

Mittelheuser's work has been published in thirteen scientific books and journals, including a widely cited article about her discovery of a substance that assists plants retain water which was published in ''

Nature Nature is an inherent character or constitution, particularly of the Ecosphere (planetary), ecosphere or the universe as a whole. In this general sense nature refers to the Scientific law, laws, elements and phenomenon, phenomena of the physic ...

'' in 1969. Despite being regarded as a pioneer in her field, she left research in 1976 after encountering

sexism Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is int ...

and becoming frustrated by less-qualified male researchers being considered for career progression ahead of her. As a philanthropist, Mittelheuser has made considerable contributions to the

Griffith University Griffith University is a public university, public research university in South East Queensland on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of Australia. The university was founded in 1971, but was not officially opened until 1975. Griffith ...

, and Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Known also for her involvement in the arts field, Mittelheuser has also made significant contributions to the

Queensland Art Gallery The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) is an art museum located in South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The gallery is part of QAGOMA. It complements the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) building, situated only away. The Queensland Art Galle ...

and the University of Queensland Art Museum. She also served as chairperson of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society. Mittelheuser is also known for her involvement with the Lyceum Club where she served three consecutive terms as president from 1989 to 1992. She also served as vice-president of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.

Recognition

In 1998, Mittelheuser received an honorary

Doctor of Philosophy A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of Postgraduate education, graduate study and original resear ...

from the University of Queensland in honour of her contribution to the university and to the community. For her service to women, especially with the Lyceum Club, Mittelheuser was made a

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

in the 1999 Australia Day Honours. In 2001, Mittelheuser was awarded the

Centenary Medal The Centenary Medal is an award which was created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the centenary of the Federation of Australia and to recognise "people who made a contribution to Australian society or g ...

for distinguished service to both the Arts and the Lyceum Club. From 18 July 2020 until 31 January 2021, the

held an exhibition called "Two sisters: A singular vision" showcasing over 100 works that the Mittelheuser sisters had acquired for the gallery over a 35 year period, particularly works by female

Indigenous Australian art Indigenous Australian art includes art made by Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, including collaborations with others. It includes works in a wide range of media including painting on leaves, bark painting, wood carving, rock ...

ists. Mittelheuser is also the benefactor behind the Mittelheuser Scholar-in-Residence at the

State Library of Queensland State Library of Queensland (State Library) is the state public reference and research library of Queensland, Australia, operated by the Government of Queensland, state government. The Library is governed by the Library Board of Queensland, whi ...

, a research project which aims to advance the knowledge of professionals in the gallery, library, art and museum fields by awarding a $15,000

bursary A bursary is a monetary award made by any educational institution or funding authority to individuals or groups. It is usually awarded to enable a student to attend school, university or college when they might not be able to, otherwise. Some awar ...

each year to a successful applicant. In 2021, Mittelheuser and her sister were named as

Queensland Greats The Queensland Greats Awards recognise outstanding Queenslanders for their years of dedication and contribution to the development of the state and their role in strengthening and shaping the community in Queensland, Australia. The awards are p ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mittelheuser, Cathryn 1932 births Living people University of Queensland alumni People from Bundaberg 20th-century Australian botanists Academic staff of the University of Queensland Members of the Order of Australia People educated at Brisbane Girls Grammar School Australian women botanists