A Century of Pathology Specimens
Celebrating the Legacy of the Integrated Pathology Learning Centre
This year marks a significant milestone for The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Integrated Pathology Learning Centre (IPLC) - 100 years of preserving and showcasing pathology specimens that have advanced medical education and research.
Located on UQ’s Herston campus, adjacent to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the IPLC stands as a beacon of knowledge, housing over 5,000 meticulously curated potted specimens.
Today, the IPLC team consists of a Museum Curator, Rebecca Lush, Senior Curatorial Assistant and Conservator, Paul Muffatti, and a dedicated group of student volunteers and interns. The Curator and Conservator are responsible for maintaining the collection's quality and educational value. Rebecca oversees the strategic direction, ethical management, and day-to-day operations of the collection, which includes everything from organising educational programs to designing exhibits and guiding student tours.
“The IPLC is both a vital teaching facility and a unique museum space. It enhances student learning by offering a rare opportunity to engage with real-world examples of the human body and pathological conditions,” she said.
“The collection enables critical thinking, challenging students to consider pathology through diverse perspectives and inspiring new ways of understanding human biology and medical history.”
The IPLC's collection began in 1925 with its first specimen— a case of hepatic tuberculosis, now prominently displayed at the museum’s entrance. In 1936, alongside the establishment of UQ’s School of Medicine, the museum began to shape under the visionary guidance of Professor James Vincent Duhig, the first Honorary Professor of Pathology (1937 to 1947).
100 Year snapshot of IPLC
1900 - The foundation of a pathology museum in Queensland was first raised at the scientific meetings of the Queensland Branch of the British Medical Association.
1920 - Dr James Vincent Duhig was appointed custodian of the collection
1925 - the first specimen in the collection was acquired. It is a segment of liver from a young female with tuberculosis.
1936 - The University of Queensland established the School of Medicine in 1936.
1937 - Dr Duhig was appointed Honorary Professor of Pathology (1937-1947) and transferred all specimens to the University.
1938 - The first pathology class was held in 1938 for third year medical students. Pathology teaching transferred to more appropriate accommodation at the Medical School at Herston when construction was completed in 1938.
Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History - First Class in Pathology
Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History - First Class in Pathology
1948 - 1963 - The collection continued to grow under Professor A.J. Canny, the first full-time Professor of Pathology, Dr T.H. Vickers and Dr J.A. Inglis.
1950 - The collection was named the J.V. Duhig Museum of Pathology.
1965 - Professor John Kerr joined the UQ Pathology Department. He served as Professor of Pathology from 1974 until his retirement in 1995. While to the world John Kerr is known for his ground-breaking research on apoptosis, in Queensland he is also renowned for his contribution to medical education, having inspired a generation of medical students.
1994 - 2001 - By the early 1990s, active specimen collecting had declined as surgical and autopsy practices changed. Use of the collection was reduced. Digital resources and images were favoured and the museum space was reallocated for other purposes, a phenomenon which was occurring at other sites around the world.
2006 - Professor Sunil Lakhani’s appointed as Head of the School of Medicine’s Discipline of Molecular and Cellular Pathology. Under his leadership, a proposal to develop a centre of excellence for pathology education was put forward. The Integrated Pathology Learning Centre is the culmination of that effort.
2010 - The IPLC opened in 2010 in the recently refurbished Health Sciences Building.
The IPLC fosters interdisciplinary engagement by welcoming students from a range of faculties—including archaeology, law, and advanced humanities —who seek to explore the complexities of health, disease, and the human condition.
For Bridget Hunt-Tobey, a UQ Doctor of Medicine student this firsthand exposure to specimens from the museum provided valuable insights that traditional textbooks couldn’t provide.
“Almost everything I know about pathology is, in part, thanks to the IPLC. Our pathology lectures always included pictures of actual specimens from the museum, and there were several opportunities to explore the collection further during my first two years of my program,” she said.
“I'm primarily a visual learner, so the IPLC was a key component of my learning. It helped me better understand what a pathology actually looked like when compared to the healthy state.
“The IPLC is an underrated resource for anyone studying biomedical sciences or medicine. It has countless specimens and resources to help you explore how disease affects the body.”
One of the standout experiences for Bridget involved learning about the progression of leprosy.
“There’s a specimen in the IPLC that shows how the disease affects the tibial nerve, especially after a prolonged course, that I had never heard about beforehand,” she said.
Bridget also valued the broader cultural education the IPLC provides.
“Since I'm originally from the United States, certain resources and exhibits gave me greater insight into Australian history, especially in the context of healthcare discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, something that would have been difficult to learn otherwise.”
Rebecca said the centennial milestone is not merely a reflection on the past; it is a vibrant acknowledgment of the IPLC’s ongoing mission.
“By blending historical insights with modern educational practices, the IPLC will continue to illuminate the complexities of health and disease, sparking curiosity and inspiring future healthcare professionals for years to come,” she said.
“The Centre not only serves tertiary education but actively reaches out to the community through secondary school programs, exhibitions, and museum tours. This engagement fosters a broader appreciation for the field of pathology and its relevance to everyday life.”
Built with Shorthand