Tributes are flowing for Australian Nobel Prize laureate Emeritus Professor Robin Warren, who has died at the age of 87.

The pioneering pathologist and University of WA Emeritus Professor is perhaps best known for his research work on the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, alongside his gastroenterologist colleague Professor Barry Marshall.

The pair were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005.

Despite being first rejected by the medical fraternity, their revolutionary proposal transformed the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcers with an antibiotic eradication cure, which led to a significant global reduction in the prevalence of gastric cancer.

Born in 1937, Professor Warren attended medical school at the University of Adelaide in his home state and then trained at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1967 before he was admitted to the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.

He then moved to Perth to take up a position as staff specialist in pathology at the Royal Perth Hospital (1968–98), during which he first observed bacteria colonising in the lower part of the stomach and began working with Professor Marshall.

As well as the H. pylori discovery, Professor Warren also helped develop a diagnostic test – the C14 Urea Breath Test – for detecting H. pylori in patients.

Having made a significant contribution to health and medical research both in Australia and internationally, Professor Warren has received numerous scientific and national awards, including the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

He continued to work at the University of WA, where its medical library was named the J.Robin Warren Library in 2017, acknowledging Professor Warren’s past impact as well as future inspiration to students working and studying there.

“Our University is very proud of Robin Warren and the difference that he and Barry Marshall’s research has made to the lives of millions of people around the world,” said UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma.

“Robin was a medical pioneer and along with Barry, he defied his detractors, dedicating himself to prove a theory that resulted in greater global health outcomes.”

The NHMRC paid tribute to Professor Warren, stating that his achievements were recognised through their Research Excellence Awards, with their Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant (Innovation) Awards, which recognise the highest ranked Ideas Grant recipient and the most innovative and potentially transformative recipient.

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia said it was also deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Professor Warren, stating in a social media post that his legacy would be ingrained on pathology and medicine forever and that the college’s heartfelt condolences went out to his family, friends and colleagues.

Professor Warren passed away on 23 July 2024 in Perth.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of the brilliant Perth fellow pathologist and 2005 Nobel Laureate in Medicine, J. Robin Warren AC.

With his fine observational skills, Robin identified bacteria in the stomach (now called Helicobacter). This led to the discovery by him and… pic.twitter.com/CGzJTQYTue

— Professor Richard Scolyer AO (@ProfRScolyerMIA) August 3, 2024