New Zealand biochemist (1949–2015)
Jeanette Rosemary Crossley MNZM (nee Niblett, 1949 – 11 October 2015) was a New Zealand biochemist, who pioneered the development of bloodspot tests for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. In 2009 Crossley was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science, in particular Addison's disease.
Academic career
Crossley completed a PhD titled The nature of urinary insulin in normal and diabetic subjects at the University of Auckland in 1973.[1] Crossley worked for DSIR and then with Bob Elliott and P. A. Smith in the paediatrics department of the University of Auckland, where she developed a test for elevated trypsin levels in newborns using blood spots.[2][3] This enabled nationwide screening of newborns and early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, allowing earlier treatment and subsequent improvements in prognosis.[4][5]
Crossley developed the New Zealand Addison's Network, a support network for New Zealanders with Addison's disease. She created a website and a newsletter issued three times a year, providing support for those with the disease. She also worked in paediatric diabetes research and was on the executive committee of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes.[3]
In 1992 Crossley published a book about Matt Burke, a shepherd who worked on Ngamatea and Timahanga Stations.[6]
Honours and awards
In the 2009 New Year Honours Crossley was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science, in particular Addison's disease.[3]
Personal life
Crossley was born in 1949, the only child of Eunice and Ernest Niblett.[7] Crossley had Addison's disease and related autoimmune conditions, which restricted her life, and eventually led to her being bedridden.[8] Crossley died in 2015 aged 66 years.[7] She left a significant bequest to the University of Auckland, and funded research on loneliness in people with chronic and long-term illness.[8][9]
Selected works
References
External links
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