AAHMS welcomes 27 new Fellows


An ophthalmologist-scientist, academic psychiatrist and a paediatric anaesthetist are among the 27 new Fellows elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. The Academy will welcome its new Fellows in a ceremony in Brisbane tonight (12 October), where they will be announced by the Academy’s Interim President Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO FRS FAA […]
Experts propose a path to improve Australia’s mental health


Australia needs bold, future focused action to change the trajectory of our mental health outcomes, and experts have proposed a three-pronged approach to improve our mental health system. The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences today released a report from a specialist roundtable, chaired by mental health expert and Academy Fellow Professor Maree Teesson […]
Scientist dedicated to reducing harm wins national award


A scientist dedicated to reducing harm in health care has won the 2023 Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Outstanding Female Researcher Medal. Professor Rachelle Buchbinder AO is a world-renowned rheumatologist and clinical epidemiologist who revolutionised the way the public and health practitioners treat and manage back pain. She is also a Fellow of […]
Celebrating supporting 100 rising research leaders


The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences has welcomed its 100th mentee, with 15 rising health and medical research stars joining the Academy’s mentorship program this month (September). The AAHMS mentorship program was launched shortly after the Academy’s inception in 2015, with a goal of nurturing future leaders and supporting them in their careers. […]
Submission to Australian Universities Accord Interim Report consultation


The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences strongly supports the Government’s commitment to reform Australia’s higher education system through an Australian Universities Accord and we welcome the opportunity to provide input in response to the Accord Panel’s Interim Report. AAHMS broadly supports the vision of the Interim Report and its five immediate priority actions. […]
A treatment for every child: Professor David Ziegler


“Children are not little adults, their cancers are different” Sydney’s Professor David Ziegler plans to be able to improve treatment for every child with cancer. He’s working in the clinic to trial treatments for the fatal brain stem tumour DIPG, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. And he’s driving the development of the national Zero Childhood Cancer […]
First responders in our skin and gut revealed: Prof Laura Mackay


Offering new ways to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases A decade ago, University of Melbourne’s Professor Laura Mackay discovered the “first responders” of our immune system, a unique population of T cells based in our skin, gut and other barrier tissues. Now she’s working to super-charge their protective power to clear infections and fight cancer, and […]
AAHMS calls for big picture strategy to improve health research and innovation


The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences has called for the Government to look at the big picture when considering the future of health and medical research funding. The Academy is advocating for a bold strategic vision to ensure investments deliver benefits for health, society and the economy. The Academy’s submission to the Government’s […]
Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences statement supporting the Voice to Parliament


Later this year, Australia will vote on a proposed law to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The Academy supports the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a greater burden […]
Experts to contribute to Long COVID and Repeated Infections Inquiry


How can you receive quality healthcare for an illness if there isn’t a clear definition of what that illness is? This is one of many issues the country’s leading experts will address during a roundtable discussion at Parliament House in Canberra on 17 February 2023, to inform the Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID […]
Meet four emerging health research stars- our newest mentees for 2023


Four emerging research leaders with expertise in genomics, psychology, epidemiology and nephrology have joined our competitive Mentorship Program. Selected from a pool of applicants across Australia, these health and medical research stars will be paired with a mentor from the AAHMS Fellowship to support their career and leadership development. Mentees become Associate Members of the […]
The Academy welcomes our new Fellows for 2022


Infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, oncologists, a clinical biostatistician, a broadcast journalist, a senior barrister, and a former Academy Mentee are among the 31 health leaders who will be announced as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences at a ceremony in Melbourne this evening. Each year, the Fellowship elects the best and […]
Our vision to integrate research in the health system


Australia’s health and medical science leaders have today released a comprehensive plan to transform healthcare by better integrating research and health. The report, Research and innovation as core functions in transforming the health system: a vision for the future of health in Australia, released today by the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences outlines […]
Health Horizons Forum to explore future of health


The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, in partnership with Saltire Capital Partners, is launching a series of roundtables to explore the future of health, research and innovation in Australia. The 2023 Health Horizons Forum will bring together stakeholders from across the Australian health sector, government, research, innovation and industry to explore future opportunities […]
Professor Sharon Lewin awarded Medal for Outstanding Female Researcher


An infectious disease physician and virologist who has been at the forefront of the global search for a cure for HIV and led research on the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 has been awarded the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Outstanding Female Researcher Medal. Professor Sharon Lewin AO FAHMS is Director of The […]
Leading haematologist honoured with Jian Zhou Medal


A scientist leading one of the world’s preeminent research programs on global health anaemia control, which has led to the delivery of evidence-based care for children and pregnant mothers worldwide, has received the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Jian Zhou Medal. The medal is named in honour of cervical cancer vaccine co-inventor Professor […]
Academy welcomes six rising research leaders into Mentorship Program


Six emerging research leaders with expertise in cardiology, dietetics, genetics, neurology, addiction and exercise science have joined the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) Mentorship Program. Competitively selected from a pool of applicants across Australia, these rising health and medical research stars will be paired with a mentor from the AAHMS Fellowship to […]
Climate change an immediate threat to the health of Australians – health and medical research experts


The nation’s top health and medical researchers declare climate change to be an urgent health priority in a new statement. Today, on World Health Day, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences launches Climate change: an urgent health priority at an event featuring some of Australia’s most eminent researchers, including Professor Warwick Anderson FAHA […]
Moving from rhetoric to action – a joint statement on COP26


The presidents of Australia’s five learned academies have issued a joint statement on COP26 and Australia’s path to net-zero emissions. “The challenges presented by climate change require smart, holistic and cross-disciplinary thinking. We need to continue developing and communicating research to challenge misinformation with robust evidence and steward an economy-wide transition to a low carbon future. Our […]
Harassment of Australian scientists unacceptable


Around 1 in 5 Australian scientists recently surveyed by the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) said they experienced death threats and/or threats of physical or sexual violence after speaking to the media about COVID-19. Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences President Professor Ingrid Scheffer said it was completely unacceptable that scientists and healthcare professionals were […]