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| known_for = [[Science-based medicine|Evidence-based medicine]]
| known_for = [[Science-based medicine|Evidence-based medicine]]
| relations =
| relations =
| website = https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/marcello.costa
| website = [https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/marcello.costa flinders.edu.au/people/marcello.costa]
| profession = Professor of Neurophysiology
| profession = Professor of Neurophysiology
| field = [[Neurophysiology]]
| field = [[Neurophysiology]]
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}}
}}
'''Marcello Costa''' (born 9 January 1940) is an Italian-born Australian medical doctor, research academic, and public health advocate.
'''Marcello Costa''' (born 9 January 1940) is an Italian-born Australian medical doctor, research academic, and public health advocate.
He specializes in the structure and functions of the nervous system. He taught in Turin, Melbourne, and Helsinki before moving to Adelaide in 1975 where he was a foundation lecturer at the Flinders Medical School, building the new discipline of neuroscience at the college.<ref name=FNM2018/>
He specializes in the structure and functions of the nervous system. He taught in Turin, Melbourne, and Helsinki before moving to [[Adelaide]] in 1975 where he was a foundation lecturer at the Flinders Medical School, building the new discipline of neuroscience at the college.<ref name=FNM2018/>
He has been at [[Flinders University]] since, and he is now the Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Neurophysiology in the Department of Physiology.
He has been at [[Flinders University]] since, and he is now the Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Neurophysiology in the Department of Physiology.


He founded the South Australian Neuroscience Institute (SANI) and the [[Friends of Science in Medicine]]. He was awarded the Australian [[Centenary Medal]] and the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
He founded the South Australian Neuroscience Institute (SANI) and [[Friends of Science in Medicine]] (FSM). He was awarded the Australian [[Centenary Medal]] and the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
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He is often called on by media to give expert commentary on a number of topics, including
He is often called on by media to give expert commentary on a number of topics, including
the evidence against acupuncture,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haggan |first1=Megan |title=Acupuncture is 'pointless,' says FSM |url=https://ajp.com.au/news/acupuncture-pointless-says-fsm/ |website=ajp.com.au|accessdate=2 March 2018 |language=en-AU |date=26 July 2016 |publisher=Australian Journal of Pharmacy |quote=“There is no longer any justification for more studies. There is more than enough evidence to confidently conclude that acupuncture doesn’t work.”}}</ref>
the evidence against [[acupuncture]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haggan |first1=Megan |title=Acupuncture is 'pointless,' says FSM |url=https://ajp.com.au/news/acupuncture-pointless-says-fsm/ |website=ajp.com.au|accessdate=2 March 2018 |language=en-AU |date=26 July 2016 |publisher=Australian Journal of Pharmacy |quote=“There is no longer any justification for more studies. There is more than enough evidence to confidently conclude that acupuncture doesn’t work.”}}</ref>
universities which give credibility to [[pseudoscience|pseudo-scientific]] topics including [[chiropractic]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Medew|first1=Julia|title=Doctors take aim at chiropractors|url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/doctors-take-aim-at-chiropractors-20111206-1oh8g.html|accessdate=2 March 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=6 December 2011 |language=en |quote=Professor of Neurophysiology at Flinders University Marcello Costa, said universities running such courses were encouraging the spread of quackery, misusing public money and delaying effective treatments for people who falsely believed chiropractors could cure their illnesses.}}</ref>
universities which give credibility to [[pseudoscience|pseudo-scientific]] topics including [[chiropractic]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Medew|first1=Julia|title=Doctors take aim at chiropractors|url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/doctors-take-aim-at-chiropractors-20111206-1oh8g.html|accessdate=2 March 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=6 December 2011 |language=en |quote=Professor of Neurophysiology at Flinders University Marcello Costa, said universities running such courses were encouraging the spread of quackery, misusing public money and delaying effective treatments for people who falsely believed chiropractors could cure their illnesses.}}</ref>
whether the free trade agreement between Australia and China should include "[[traditional Chinese medicine]]",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lauder |first1=Simon |title=Chinese medicine's mention in free trade deal 'a tragedy for Australian science' |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-18/chinese-medicine-free-trade-agreement-critic/6556532 |publisher=ABC News |accessdate=2 March 2018 |language=en-AU |date=18 June 2015 |quote=the agreement would give unwarranted legitimacy to Chinese medicine.}}</ref> proposals to register traditional Chinese medicine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/alarm-bells-sound-on-registration-of-chinese-medicine-20120401-1w6mo.html|title=Alarm bells sound on registration of Chinese medicine|last=Robotham|first=Julie|date=2012-04-01|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2018-10-25}}</ref> and the "white light" reportedly seen by some dying people<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noone |first1=Richard |title=Heart attack survivor ‘saw the light’ in near death experience |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/heart-attack-survivor-saw-the-light-in-near-death-experience/news-story/391b8e28887be890adf3c0bb94611b13 |accessdate=2 March 2018 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 March 2016}}</ref>
Whether the free trade agreement between Australia and China should include "[[traditional Chinese medicine]]",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lauder |first1=Simon |title=Chinese medicine's mention in free trade deal 'a tragedy for Australian science' |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-18/chinese-medicine-free-trade-agreement-critic/6556532 |publisher=ABC News |accessdate=2 March 2018 |language=en-AU |date=18 June 2015 |quote=the agreement would give unwarranted legitimacy to Chinese medicine.}}</ref> proposals to register traditional Chinese medicine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/alarm-bells-sound-on-registration-of-chinese-medicine-20120401-1w6mo.html|title=Alarm bells sound on registration of Chinese medicine|last=Robotham|first=Julie|date=2012-04-01|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2018-10-25}}</ref> and the [[Near-death experience|"white light"]] reportedly seen by some dying people<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noone |first1=Richard |title=Heart attack survivor ‘saw the light’ in near death experience |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/heart-attack-survivor-saw-the-light-in-near-death-experience/news-story/391b8e28887be890adf3c0bb94611b13 |accessdate=2 March 2018 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 March 2016}}</ref>
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THIS COMES FROM HIS CV, BUT I CAN'T FIND AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE TO SUPPORT IT (YET).
THIS COMES FROM HIS CV, BUT I CAN'T FIND AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE TO SUPPORT IT (YET).

Revision as of 17:17, 5 February 2019

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Marcello Costa
Born (1940-01-09) 9 January 1940 (age 84)
Torino (Turin, Italy)
NationalityDual Australian and Italian
Known forEvidence-based medicine
Medical career
ProfessionProfessor of Neurophysiology
FieldNeurophysiology
Institutions
Researchrole of neurons in driving the activity of the gut
Websiteflinders.edu.au/people/marcello.costa

Marcello Costa (born 9 January 1940) is an Italian-born Australian medical doctor, research academic, and public health advocate. He specializes in the structure and functions of the nervous system. He taught in Turin, Melbourne, and Helsinki before moving to Adelaide in 1975 where he was a foundation lecturer at the Flinders Medical School, building the new discipline of neuroscience at the college.[1] He has been at Flinders University since, and he is now the Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Neurophysiology in the Department of Physiology.

He founded the South Australian Neuroscience Institute (SANI) and Friends of Science in Medicine (FSM). He was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal and the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.

Early life and education

Costa was born in Turin, Italy on 9 January 1940.[2] In 1949 his family migrated to Argentina, where he attended San Martin high school and then in 1954 entered the public Italian High School of Buenos Aires, finishing the Scientific Lyceum in 1960. In his youth he was intrigued by science, even selling his bicycle so he could buy a microscope to study insects.[3]

He studied as an intern in the University of Turin's Department of Anatomy and Histology, working as a researcher under supervision of Giorgio Gabella. He was involved in a number of extracurricular activities including editor of the University newspaper “l’Ateneo”. He earned his degree in medicine (Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia, equivalent to MB BS) from the University of Turin in 1967; his M.D. thesis was "The Adrenergic Innervation of the Alimentary Canal" with Dignita di Stampa (worthy of publication).[4]

Medical career

"Our neurological systems link us to everything we do, shaping our thoughts, culture, intellectual capacity, emotions and our bodily functions. There is no area of science more important to understand, in my view."

— Marcello Costa, [3]

Upon graduating in 1967, Costa completed compulsory military service as medical officer, then he began lecturing at the University of Turin. The following year, he became a Medical Registrar and general practitioner in Italy. In 1970 he and his newlywed wife Daniela migrated from Italy to Australia. Initially he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in zoology under Professor Geoff Burnstock at the University of Melbourne (1970-1973). In 1973 he also worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Helsinki in Finland, and then at the University of Turin.[2]

In 1975 he moved to Flinders University, initially as a lecturer in Human Physiology. The discipline of neuroscience was new at the time, and he became a foundation lecturer in the field at the Flinders Medical School (now the College of Medicine and Public Health). In 1986 Flinders University recognized his service by creating a personal chair in Neurophysiology, and in 2013 he was appointed the Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor in the College of Medicine and Public Health, and Professor of Neurophysiology.[2][3][5]

His research focuses on the nervous system, specifically how it interacts with the gut to control it, and he has authored or co-authored more than 250 works on that subject,[2] 72 review articles and chapters, and written two books.[4] He also made what Flinders University describes as "a range of landmark discoveries about the role of neurons in driving the activity of the gut, and in recognising that a person’s neurological system shapes their thoughts, culture, intellectual capacity, emotions and our bodily functions".[1]

Costa's application of a systematic approach to new methods has made the neuronal structure of the enteric nervous system one of the best understood parts of the nervous system in mammals. Observations in this system have also guided understanding the function of neurons in the central nervous system. The studies he conducted into neuronal reflexes that enable intestinal motility and the neurotransmitters that are involved led to the discovery of excitory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.[6]

In 1983, Costa and John Furness organized the first meeting of the global leaders in the new field of enteric neuroscience.[7]

He was a founder of the Australian Neuroscience Society, and he served as its president in 1994-1995.[8] In 2003 he founded the South Australian Neuroscience Institute (SANI) in association with neuroscience colleagues and the SA Government, representing the three SA Universities; he served as its co-chair from 2003 to 2010.[5]

Community engagement

In addition to his formal academic roles, Costa has promoted evidence-based medicine, philosophy of science and educating the general public, especially concerning neuroscience.

He is often called on by media to give expert commentary on a number of topics, including the evidence against acupuncture,[9] universities which give credibility to pseudo-scientific topics including chiropractic,[10] Whether the free trade agreement between Australia and China should include "traditional Chinese medicine",[11] proposals to register traditional Chinese medicine,[12] and the "white light" reportedly seen by some dying people[13]

Costa jointly founded the "Friends of Science in Medicine" (FSM) in 2011, and he serves as its Treasurer.[14] The University of Adelaide described FSM as "a public health watch dog group of distinguished lay members, scientists and health professionals who are concerned about honesty in medical claims and the need for evidence-based medicine particularly in the growing alternative therapy industry".[15] He presented at the 2017 World Science Festival.[16] He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Australian Science Media Centre.[17]

Personal life

In 1970, when Costa was invited to come to Australia, he asked Daniela Tuffanelli to come with him as his wife; she said yes. The couple has one child, Andrea Costa (born January 1975).[18]

His hobbies include leading mountaineering expeditions, windsurfing, painting, classical guitar, jazz and South American folk music.[4]

Awards and recognition

His awards and recognitions include:[4][5]

  • 1988 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science[6]
  • 1992 "Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana" from the Italian Government
  • 1994 Piedmontese of the Year
  • 1997 Honorary member of the Golden Key Honour Society
  • 2001 Centenary Medal Australia[19]
  • 2004 Member of the Australian Academy of Brain Sciences[2]
  • 2006 Flinders 40th anniversary medal for services to the University
  • 2008 "Unsung Hero of South Australian Science Communication" Award (jointly with with Ian Gibbins)
  • 2008 Life member of the Centre of Neuroscience at Flinders University
  • 2010 Life membership of the ANS
  • 2012 Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor at Flinders University
  • 2012 (jointly with the other three founding members of FSM) - "Skeptics of the Year" by the Australian Skeptics Inc.[20]
  • 2014 Australasian Neuroscience Society medallion for "individuals who have provided outstanding service to the Society"[21]
  • 2015 Inducted as an Honorary Bragg Member of the Royal Institution of Australia (RIAus)[22]
  • 2018 Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (FNM) Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his research and mentorship, which have substantially influenced progress in the fields[1]

Published books

  • Brookes, Simon; Costa, Marcello, eds. (2002). Innervation of the gastrointestinal tract: Volume 14 of Autonomic nervous system. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415283779.
  • Burnstock, Geoffrey; Costa, Marcello (2013). Adrenergic neurons : their organization, function, and development in the peripheral nervous system. Chapman and Hall. ISBN 9781489972620.
  • Costa, Marcello; et al. (2013). Sensory nerves and neuropeptides in gastroenterology : from basic science to clinical perspectives. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781489907448. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author2= (help)
  • Furness, John Barton; Costa, Marcello (2016). The Enteric Nervous System : 30 Years Later. Springer. ISBN 9783319275925.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Neuroscience leader receives international honour". Flinders In Touch. Flinders University. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Costa, Marcello - Biographical entry". www.eoas.info. Encyclopedia of Australian Science. 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2018 – via The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre.
  3. ^ a b c "Professor Marcello Costa". Flinders University Engineering and Technology. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Profile: Marcello Costa". The Conversation. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Professor Marcello Costa". www.flinders.edu.au. Flinders University. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Fellows | Professor Marcello Costa". www.science.org.au. Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  7. ^ Brierley, Stuart; Costa, Marcello, eds. (2016). The enteric nervous system : 30 years later. Springer. pp. v. ISBN 9783319275925.
  8. ^ "Past Executive Members". www.ans.org.au. Australasian Neuroscience Society. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  9. ^ Haggan, Megan (26 July 2016). "Acupuncture is 'pointless,' says FSM". ajp.com.au. Australian Journal of Pharmacy. Retrieved 2 March 2018. "There is no longer any justification for more studies. There is more than enough evidence to confidently conclude that acupuncture doesn't work."
  10. ^ Medew, Julia (6 December 2011). "Doctors take aim at chiropractors". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2018. Professor of Neurophysiology at Flinders University Marcello Costa, said universities running such courses were encouraging the spread of quackery, misusing public money and delaying effective treatments for people who falsely believed chiropractors could cure their illnesses.
  11. ^ Lauder, Simon (18 June 2015). "Chinese medicine's mention in free trade deal 'a tragedy for Australian science'". ABC News. Retrieved 2 March 2018. the agreement would give unwarranted legitimacy to Chinese medicine.
  12. ^ Robotham, Julie (2012-04-01). "Alarm bells sound on registration of Chinese medicine". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  13. ^ Noone, Richard (17 March 2016). "Heart attack survivor 'saw the light' in near death experience". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  14. ^ "FSM Executive". Friends of Science in Medicine. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Emeritus Professor Alastair MacLennan". www.adelaide.edu.au. The University of Adelaide Staff Directory. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Marcello Costa 2017". www.worldsciencefestival.com.au. World Science Festival Brisbane. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Science Advisory Panel". www.smc.org.au. Australian Science Media Centre. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2018-10-25. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "CONGRATULATIONS TO PROF MARCELLO COSTA!". www.scienceinmedicine.org.au (in Japanese). 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Award extract - COSTA, Marcello, Centenary Medal". honours.pmc.gov.au. Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 2018-03-02. For service to Australian society and science in neurophysiology
  20. ^ "Merit Awards". Australian Skeptics Inc. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  21. ^ "The ANS Medallion - Australasian Neuroscience Society Inc". www.ans.org.au. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  22. ^ "Bragg Fellow Bios". RiAus. Royal Institution of Australia. Retrieved 5 February 2019.

External links


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