Past President of the Royal Society of South Africa (RSSAf) and one of South Africa's leading microbiologists, Professor Douglas (Doug) E. Rawlings passed away on 2 May 2020, at the age of 68, after suffering a heart attack.
Rawlings, one of the first molecular microbiologists in South Africa, had a long and impressive career at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Stellenbosch University (SU), and apart from being a former President of the RSSAf, he was a founding member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
Since the late 1980s, Rawlings and his research group made internationally recognised contributions to the field of molecular biology with his research on the use of microorganisms in bio-mining. He also made a significant contribution to the understanding of the biology of broad-host-range IncQ-family plasmids, and for 20 years (1992–2011) he held an A rating from the National Research Foundation.
Apart from being a world-class scientist, Rawlings was also a leader in higher education management. In 1998 he was appointed chair of SU's Department of Microbiology, and later served multiple terms as vice-dean of the Faculty of Science, where he also acted as interim dean. In addition, he served as interim deputy vice-chancellor of research for SU.
Besides his vast knowledge of and experience in science and higher education management, most characteristic of Rawlings were his high personal values and standards. As a brilliant but humble scientist, he was a great role model for many of the younger academics in his department and beyond. After his formal retirement, Rawlings stayed very active in a supportive role through SU’s Division of Research Development (DRD). In this role, again, he made invaluable contributions to early career academic staff members. Alongside his post-retirement role at DRD, he served as alternate Research Integrity Officer and as a valued member of one of SU’s research ethics committees.
Prof. Rawlings was a central figure in the RSSAf. After being elected a Fellow in 1993 at the unusually young age of 43, he began his service to the society in 1996 when he became a Member of Council. He remained on the council for many years, serving in various capacities, most notably as General Secretary from 1998 to 2003, and as President for the 2004–2006 term. Concurrently, he also served on the Editorial Board of the Transactions of the Royal Society. He was subsequently co-opted onto the council for several years in view of his role as academic co-ordinator of the Claude Leon Foundation’s post-doctoral bursary scheme, for which the society provides candidate assessments.
During his career, Rawlings received numerous accolades, including the PanLabs Award from the Society for Industrial Microbiology in the USA, the Havenga Prize from the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, the SU Chancellor’s award and the SU Rector's award for excellence in research. In 2006, he was a finalist for the Lifetime Award of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). He served several terms on the council of the South African Society for Microbiology and was a recipient of the association's silver and gold medals in 1992 and 2011, respectively.
Rawlings leaves behind his wife, three children and five grandchildren.