The Flinders community is mourning the accidental death over the weekend of Dr Simon Bou, a former student and researcher at the University who is affectionately remembered by his colleagues and teachers.
Dr Simon Bou was known as a talented and incredibly hard working, friendly student, who commenced at the University in 2008 as an undergraduate and continued on to complete his PhD in chemistry at Flinders in 2017.
He tragically died in a rock-climbing accident in the Flinders Ranges.
Dr Bou is fondly remembered by his teachers and former PhD advisors – who shared his academic journey from first-year student to successful PhD graduate – for his enthusiasm for life, his intense love for his family, and his passion for rock climbing.
He was an extraordinary student who regularly achieved high distinctions, and focused intently on his area of study. During his time at Flinders, he spent six-months in Japan to further his knowledge of biologically inspired polymers for medical applications and the current research being undertaken in this field.
Dr Bou’s PhD thesis was on DNA/polymer bioconjugates via grafting through and grafting to strategies, which used free radical polymerisation to prepare novel biocompatible hydrogels that could store and release drugs. He also developed a second temperature responsive polymer that changed at human physiological temperatures, providing sites for gene delivery or amplification.
This technical research and his new insights provided information to further a broad range of new polymer materials for drug delivery and bio-medical applications.
Flinders University expresses heartfelt condolences to Dr Bou’s family and friends, colleagues and previous students who worked with him, and the many people who have been touched by his warm heart and adventurous spirit.
For any staff members who personally knew or worked with Dr Bou and may be particularly upset at the news of his death, please remember to seek assistance if needed. The University’s Employee Assistance Program is available.