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Friday June 20, 2025

Dear ASI Members,

It is with profound sadness that we inform our members of the passing of Emerita Professor Ieva Kotlarski.

Prof. Kotlarski was an ASI Honorary Life member, recognised for her pivotal contributions to Immunology & Cell Biology (ICB) and ASI.   Ieva was ICB's first Editor-in-Chief from 1987-1992, and played a major role in securing ASI's ownership of the journal ICB, for which we are truly indebted.  Ieva was also Derrick Rowley's first PhD student and longstanding work colleague for more than 25 years.  

Please take a moment to read more about the significant role that Ieva played in our rich history:

• 2004 Newsletter piece by Ieva Kotlarski "Tribute to founder Derrick Rowley"
• 2023 ICB Commentary by Judith Greer, ASI Archivist, "A long and winding road: the history of Immunology & Cell Biology from 1936 to 1987"
• 2023 ICB Editorial by Adrian Liston et al, "A centenary of service: 100 years of Immunology & Cell Biology"

With much gratitude, we thank Chris Burrell, Paul Manning, and Shaun McColl for the Obituary below.

Sincerely,
Prof. Jose Villadangos, ASI President
Dr. Tyani Chan, ASI CEO

Obituary written by Chris Burrell, Paul Manning and Shaun McColl

Emerita Professor Ieva Kotlarski

1939 - 2025

Ieva Kotlarski had a long history with the University of Adelaide and was a strength behind biological sciences at the University for nearly 40 years. She graduated from the University of Adelaide with a BSc in 1960, BSc (Hons) in 1961 and PhD in 1965. Her BSc (first class Hons) and PhD was under the supervision of Professor Derrick Rowley, Head of the Department of Microbiology. She was his first PhD student in Adelaide.  Ieva undertook postdoctoral work in Europe and afterwards returned to the Department of Microbiology where she soon joined the academic staff. Around 1975, the Department changed its name to the Department of Microbiology and Immunology due to its increased emphasis on Immunology, in part due to Ieva’s research activities and teaching. Her laboratory was attractive to both Honours and Ph.D. students due to the ever-increasing knowledge of Immunology and its relevance. Ieva’s research successfully attracted grant support including through the NHMRC. The scientific strength of the Department was well-recognised and it grew dramatically in the 1980’s and 1990’s, both in academic staff and student numbers. In addition to the expansion of scientific knowledge this required splitting the academic courses into separate Microbiology and Immunology subjects to satisfy the student demand with Ieva being heavily involved in the design of the new courses.

She also played a significant role in the process and administration of science. She was Deputy Editor of the Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (the “Adelaide Journal”) from 1970, assisting the Editor Derrick Rowley. She then took over as Editor-in-chief (1987-1992) when Rowley retired, during which time she led the re-focussing and re-naming of the Journal to “Immunology and Cell Biology” – it became the official journal of the Australian Society for Immunology (now the Australian & New Zealand Society for Immunology). She became an Honorary Life Member of the society in 1992.

Ieva became Head of Department during the transition period after Rowley’s retirement and the appointment of a new Head. She served one term as Dean of Science, during which time difficult decisions and conflicts were present. She managed these in her characteristic way with insight, thoroughness and integrity, but was likely pleased to hand over the role when the time came. She was later appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor Research (1996-1997) before becoming an Emerita Professor (1997). She served the University well in these roles and showed outstanding leadership.

Ieva was a formidable colleague with strong principles who was always ready for a good scientific argument. Her collegial nature meant she formed strong friendships, and made her a well-liked member of the Department both with staff and graduate students. She was a forceful teacher of immunology who led generations of students to think critically about evidence and its interpretation. She was always willing to provide her expertise to help those with a less-strong immunological background. Ieva was certainly not afraid to take on less scientific tasks such as organising the Departmental Christmas parties, logistically quite an undertaking due to the number of members of the Department.

Outside of science, she had an obsessive love and extensive knowledge of cricket – and was renowned for her hard-core mountaineering trips to the Himalayas as well as Switzerland. The photograph of her in Adrian Liston’s paper about the history of the journal Immunology and Cell Biology, shows Ieva in outdoor gear with a backdrop of serious ice-covered mountains. In her retirement, Ieva kept in contact with many of her former colleagues who valued her friendship. She will be sadly missed.