Three generations of physicists at Monash

Dr Gordon Troup has been teaching and conducting research in the Department of Physics at Monash University for 40 years. His passion for the discipline has clearly rubbed off on his family, with several members, over two generations, studying in the department.

Jack and Emily Troup, Dr Troup's great-nephew and great-niece are both completing the Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in physics. But they're just the latest members of the Troup family to study physics at Monash.

Euan, Dr Troup's nephew, studied at the University and is now a practising astronomer. Michael, Dr Troup's son, studied first-year physics before going on to complete a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery.

Dr Troup said he has never influenced any of his family members to study physics - the interest just runs in the family.

"They all had free choice about what and where they studied. I think this says a lot about Monash," Dr Troup said.

During his career, Dr Troup's research interests have ranged from solid state physics and quantum mechanics to anti-oxidants in beverages and food stuffs. 

His research has had some significant practical applications.

"We were the first research group to discover the stable free radicals in red wine - the basis of the health benefits of red wine," Dr Troup said.

Dr Troup also used his expertise to expose the sale of fake Indigenous art in the 1990s.

According to Dr Troup, the growth of the University is the biggest change he has witnessed over the past 50 years.