Jan Anderson was born on 12 May 1932 in Dunedin, New Zealand. After completing her studies in New Zealand, she undertook a PhD in organic chemistry at the University of California and subsequently moved to Australia to work for Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) at their Canberra Division of Plant Industry. By 1982 Anderson had become Chief Research Scientist, a position she held until her retirement in 1995.

Her academic leadership was acknowledged when she was elected to the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) in 1987 and again in 1996 when she was elected to the Royal Society. Anderson is presently an Adjunct Professor at the Australian National University. Throughout her research career, she travelled to and collaborated with many universities around the world (UK, USA, Sweden). Her research interests include the molecular organisation of thylakoid membranes, the molecular mechanisms of light regulation in higher plants, and the structural/functional dynamics of photosystem II.

Published Resources

Online Resources

• Alafaci, Annette, 'Anderson, Jan (1932- )', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science, The University of Melbourne: eScholarship Research Centre, 7 February 2011, http://www.eoas.info/biogs/P004441b.htm. Details

See also

• 'Anderson, Jan', The Australian Women's Register, National Foundation for Australian Women, http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE4953b.htm. Details