A doctor swept out to sea while helping with a rescue on the Gold Coast is being remembered as a "selfless humanitarian" involved in world-leading cancer research.
Luqman Jubair arrived in Australia from Iraq as a qualified doctor but his "real passion" was helping others through cancer research, says a statement from Griffith University, where he did his PhD.
He was part of a research team that achieved worldwide recognition for being the first to delete cancerous tumours in mice using CRISPR gene-editing technology.
"We are grieving the loss of such a talented and selfless humanitarian who throughout his life always placed others before himself," the university said.
The 35-year-old went missing after he tried to help a fisherman who was knocked over by a wave on a beach in Miami about 6pm on Thursday.
He was swept out past the breakers when he and two other men came to the aid of the man in trouble.
The fisherman was safely brought back to shore, but Dr Jubair had not been seen since the rescue despite an extensive land, air and water search.
On Saturday morning, Queensland Police said members of the public had found his body in waters off Mermaid Beach overnight.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman on Friday said police have been in contact with Dr Jubair's family in Queensland and interstate.
He said the two other men involved in the rescue and the fisherman were still coming to terms with the situation.
"At the time they were focused very much on recovering the initial male, who was in some difficulty," he said.
"Whilst that person was recovered, obviously as the situation unfolded, the full realisation is now coming to light.
"Obviously our thoughts are with them as well."
