Flinders is mourning the passing of Professor Mike Bull and Professor Nick Antic.

Professor Bull, whose work in biodiversity and ecology is internationally lauded, died suddenly last week after his morning exercise.

Professor Antic, who was one of Australia’s leading sleep researchers, died peacefully after a long illness.

Professor Bull was particularly well known for his contribution to the understanding of the behaviour and conservation of lizards, especially the sleepy lizard.

He also held a special fondness for pygmy blue tongues, earning them a place in a Sir David Attenborough documentary, and as the author of nearly 300 peer reviewed papers and first named Chief Investigator on 24 ARC grants was one of Australia’s foremost experts in herpetology.

Professor Antic was based at the Repatriation General Hospital, where he had worked as a physician and a researcher. He enjoyed a long relationship with the University, had academic status with the University for a long time and was a well known personality within the School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences and School of Nursing.

Faculty of Science and Engineering Executive Dean Professor John Beynon said Professor Bull had been one of Flinders’ longest serving staff members, joining the University in 1973.

“Since 2003 Mike supported the whole Faculty as Associate Dean for Research, a remarkable display of service to our wider community,” said Professor Beynon.

Dean of the School of Biological Sciences Associate Professor Ian Menz said Professor Bull was well known to many staff and generations of students.

“His enthusiasm and engaging presence will be very missed,” said Associate Professor Menz.

Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor John Coveney, paid tribute to Professor Antic.

“Nick passed away last night peacefully following a long illness,” said Professor Coveney.

“He remained at work until early this year as Clinical Director of Sleep Medicine at the Repat Hospital within the SALHN Respiratory and Sleep medicine service, while also continuing in major leadership professional roles nationally and internationally.

“His courage, commitment to his patients, dedication to research and teaching, and above all his trademark sense of humour, never wavered.

“Nick trained in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at FMC and Repat from 2002 and has worked at SALHN ever since. He touched and brightened the lives of hundreds of people at SALHN and will be sadly missed.

“Our thoughts today are particularly with his wife Corinne and three lovely children Holly, Lachlan and Charlie.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling expressed his deep sadness at the news of the passing of the two highly respected and much loved members of staff.

“On behalf of Flinders University, I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Mike and Nick,” said Professor Colin Stirling.