Paul Ivan Korner AO (18 November 19253 October 2012) was a Czech–Australian cardiac physiologist noted for his contributions to the understanding of

hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...

, especially essential hypertension.

Early life and education

Paul Ivan Korner was born in

Moravská Ostrava Ostrava (; pl, Ostrawa; german: Ostrau ) is a city in the north-east of the Czech Republic, and the capital of the Moravian-Silesian Region. It has about 280,000 inhabitants. It lies from the border with Poland, at the confluences of four rive ...

Czechoslovakia , rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי, , common_name = Czechoslovakia , life_span = 1918–19391945–1992 , p1 = Austria-Hungary , image_p1 ...

(Ostrava, Czech Republic) as the older of two sons of Ernst Korner and Edith (née Singer). Korner attended Barker College and the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's si ...

, where he commenced medical studies before taking a break to earn a B.Sc. (1946) and a M.Sc. (1947). He completed his medical education in 1951 and undertook his internship at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. During his education and training, he was heavily influenced by Frank Cotton, Hugh Kingsley Ward, and, later, (C.) Ruthven (B.) Blackburn.

Career

Korner was the Foundation Professor and Head of the School of Physiology and Pharmacology at the

University of New South Wales The University of New South Wales (UNSW), also known as UNSW Sydney, is a public research university based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is one of the founding members of Group of Eight, a coalition of Australian research-intensive ...

. Korner was a director of the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne. In 1979, the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia was formed, in large part due to Korner. From the 1950s till his death, Korner published in excess of 330 research works. In 2007 the synthesis of his research work was published as "Essential hypertension and its causes" In 1990 he was appointed an

Officer of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AO).

Death

After a brief illness, Korner died at North Shore Private Hospital in St Leonards,

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, Australia. At the time, Korner resided in

Woolwich Woolwich () is a district in southeast London, England, within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The district's location on the River Thames led to its status as an important naval, military and industrial area; a role that was maintained throu ...

, a suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney. He was survived by his wife, Jennifer (née Woods); his children, Nicholas, Anthony, and Harriet; and grandchildren, Mauricio, John, Brayan, Tom, Daniel, and Paul.

Legacy

A weekly seminar series presented by

doctoral A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism ''li ...

students and postdoctoral researchers at the

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) is an Australian non-profit medical research facility that is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease. With headquarters located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, the research hub ...

, located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia, has been named in honour of Korner.

Personal life

Korner married Jennifer, with whom he had three children. Aged 19 and while a medical student on break, at

Burragorang Valley Burragorang or Burragorang Valley is a locality in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, Australia, in Wollondilly Shire. It is home to Lake Burragorang, which is impounded by Warragamba Dam. It is located within the Blue Mountains National P ...

, New South Wales, he met his future wife, then aged 16.

References

External links

Korner, Paul Ivan - Biographical entry - Encyclopedia of Australian Science
{{DEFAULTSORT:Korner, Paul 1925 births 2012 deaths Australian Jews Australian cardiovascular researchers Australian people of Czech-Jewish descent Australian physiologists Czechoslovak emigrants to Australia People educated at Barker College Sydney Medical School alumni Officers of the Order of Australia