Tea and coffee served in foyer on arrival.

• Opening Remarks by Professor Rebecca Ivers AM FAHMS, NSW/ACT State Branch Chair and Co-Chair of 2026 Annual Meeting Steering Committee
• Welcome to Country
• Welcome Address by Professor Louise Baur AM PresAHMS, President

New Fellows’ Induction by Professor John Prins FAHMS, President Elect and Vice-President. 

Join us in welcoming and celebrating our new Fellows.

Sir Jeremy Farrar OBE FRS FMedSci, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care, World Health Organisation

This session will explore the emerging trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global health. Drawing on insights from the World Health Organization, Sir Jeremy Farrar will discuss how health systems, researchers and policymakers can anticipate change, navigate uncertainty and strengthen preparedness for the health challenges of tomorrow.

Australia’s health and medical research sector faces rapid change – but how do we decide what direction to take and what to prioritise? This panel brings together perspectives from global health leadership, science and research policy, research funding, economics and Indigenous knowledges to explore how we should think about the future.

• Sir Jeremy Farrar OBE FRS FMedSci, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care, World Health Organisation
• Professor Alex Brown FAHMS, Scientific Director, Aboriginal Health Grand Challenge, The Kids Research Institute Australia
• Associate Professor Sarah Norris, Theme Lead, Knowledge Systems for Policy Action Research, Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, University of Sydney
• Professor Steve Wesselingh FAHMS, CEO, National Health and Medical Research Council

Global research collaborations, funding flows and regional partnerships are all being reshaped by geopolitical disruption. This panel brings together researchers and leaders working across borders to discuss what’s changed, what’s at stake, and how Australia’s health and medical research sector can adapt.

• Professor Gail Matthews FAHMS, Program Head, Therapeutic Vaccine and Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
• Professor Anushka Patel FAHMS, Director & CEO, The George Institute for Global Health
• Professor James Curran, The University of Sydney

Short talks showcasing some of the specific scientific and technological advances that are poised to reshape health and medical research over the coming decade. Speaker will offer a focused look at their field – what’s emerging, why it matters, and what it could mean for health outcomes.

Distinguished Professor Fang Chen, Executive Director, The Data Science Institute, University of Technology Sydney

Professor Thomas Astell-Burt, Co-Director, Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab, The University of Sydney

Prof Matt Trau, Senior Group Leader, Trau Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland

Quantum sensing tools and the future of understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

 Professor Lezanne Ooi, Professor in Biochemistry and Deputy Director, Molecular Horizons (Industry Partnerships), The University of Wollongong

As we look to the next decade, how do we ensure that the future we are planning for includes everyone? This panel brings together perspectives from global health equity, First Nations health, social and commercial determinants of health, and health diplomacy to ask hard questions about inclusion, justice and power in shaping the health research agenda.

• Professor Fran Baum AO FAHMS, Program Director, Stretton Health Equity, Adelaide University
• Professor Seye Abimbola, University of Sydney
• Associate Professor Courtney Ryder, Co-Director, Health Equity Impact Program, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University

Professor RusseLl Gruen FAHMS, Co-Chair of 2026 Annual Meeting Steering Committee

Guests depart for hotels and are free to enjoy their personal time before the gala dinner. 

For Fellows, Associate Members and invited guests only. 

The Gala Dinner will be held at The Eveleigh, located at Bay 3, 2 Locomotive Street, South Eveleigh NSW 2015. 

Start your day with a light networking breakfast hosted by our President, Professor Louise Baur AM PresAHMS. Enjoy the chance to connect and be inspired as our brilliant new Fellows rise to the challenge of introducing themselves and their research in just three minutes. 

Drawing together insights from across the meeting, this closing panel will focus on the Academy’s role in scanning horizons for health and medical science. Panellists will discuss the emerging issues, disruptive technologies and societal shifts that may shape the next decade, and consider how the Academy can contribute strategic foresight, thought leadership and evidence-informed advice to help Australia prepare for the future.

Professor Louise Baur AM PresAHMS, President

Open only to Fellows and Associate Members. Those unable to join in person will be sent a link to join the livestream. 

Bus departs for the airport at 1:30pm (15-minute trip).