Tribute to Professor Clayton
Associate Professor Clayton Adam joined QUT in 1999 and dedicated his work to helping children with spinal deformity and disorders, and to improving treatment outcomes for patients who undergo spinal surgery. During his distinguished career Clayton took on several leadership positions at QUT including Medical Engineering Theme Leader, Medical Device Domain Leader for the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), and Research Director for the Paediatric Spine Research Group (PSRG). With the PSRG Clayton brought together a dedicated team of researchers, scientists, engineers, spine orthopaedic surgeons and industry partners to perform cutting edge research aimed at minimising risks and improving treatment outcomes for spinal deformity correction surgery patients.
From 2012-2014 Clayton worked in Paris, France on a prestigious Marie-Curie Research Fellowship at Laboratoire de Biomecanique, Arts et Metiers ParisTec, and in 2015 returned to QUT on a shared position with the Arts et Metiers ParisTech.
Clayton has been an active researcher who has published more than 80 scientific papers and attracted more than $3.8 million in research income as well as a substantial bequest from a donor impressed by his work – the Florence Wilson Bequest. Despite Clayton’s diagnosis with terminal cancer in 2016 he has continued his active research during treatment, publishing a further 12 papers. This is a testament to the strong team he created and his own determination to continue his work to help children with spinal disorders.
To honour Clayton’s stellar contribution to scientific innovation in spine research, scoliosis and bone microdamage, as well as his impact on the academic community in general, QUT has created the Clayton Adam-Florence Wilson Award for Spinal Research (CA-FW Award).
Rest in peace, Clayton James Adam (20.5.72 – 6.3.18), he will be greatly missed.
