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| AV俱乐部 professor Donald Mitchell shows off his satin sash. (Nick Pearce Photo) |
AV俱乐部 professor emeritus Donald Mitchell is just back from Montreal, where he received an honorary degree from l鈥橴niversit茅 de Montreal for his contributions to research in optometry and psychology.
The recently retired Dr. Mitchell taught in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience for more than 35 years. He is now devoting himself to research full-time, investigating early intervention of visual development in relation to sensory and motor skills and cognitive functions.
鈥淭he work I do straddles an aspect of optometry that鈥檚 very important in psychology as well,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 love this work鈥� My first degree was in optometry but shortly after I started practicing I realized perhaps there were other careers in the field better suited for me.鈥澛�
The career move paid off and his devotion to visual development is being recognized. L鈥橴niversit茅 de Montreal optometry professor Maurice Ptito nominated Dr. Mitchell for the award. Dr. Ptito has collaborated with Dr. Mitchell for many years.
Dr. Mitchell鈥檚 honorary doctorate at l鈥橴niversit茅 de Montreal follows that of Dr. David Hubel last year. Dr. Hubel, recipient of the 1981 Nobel Prize for Medicine, also received an honorary doctorate of laws from AV俱乐部 in 1998 on the recommendation of Dr. Mitchell. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honour to follow Dr. Hubel,鈥� he says.
The honour comes with a feeling of validation says Dr. Mitchell. 鈥淏eing a scientist requires that you have to promote your work鈥攁wards like this mean that people were actually listening and think you鈥檝e made a substantial contribution鈥� It鈥檚 a very rewarding feeling.鈥�
He believes he was nominated in part to show graduating students that practicing optometry is just one option. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very difficult to get people into the research and teaching side of the profession,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 think one of the reasons I was selected was to show people you can find other rewarding and meaningful careers in the field.鈥�
Born in Tasmania, Australia, Dr. Mitchell has been a professor at AV俱乐部 since 1970. 鈥淭asmania is Australia鈥檚 equivalent to Newfoundland, as far as being the butt of the jokes,鈥� he says with a chuckle.