Professor Refshauge is an outstanding musculoskeletal researcher, of high international standing. Her research in back and neck pain has changed practice among educators and clinicians. She developed new care models and stimulated vigorous international debate about neck manipulation. She is a highly sought after keynote speaker for prestigious international conferences, and contributor to book chapters, and best practice guidelines. Her visionary approach to health delivery has led to collaborations among leaders of education, government and health to further health research. Her passion for mentoring the next generation of researchers is recognized by three awards for exceptional mentorship.

Professor Rasko AO is an Australian pioneer in the application of adult stem cells and genetic therapy. He is a clinical haematologist, pathologist and scientist who has contributed to the understanding of stem cells and haemopoiesis, gene transfer technologies, oncogenesis, human aminoacidurias and non-coding RNAs. He serves on many committees including Chair, GTTAC – responsible for all Australian genetically-modified organisms – and Chair, Advisory Committee on Biologicals, TGA. He co-founded and is past-President (2003-5) of the Australasian Gene Therapy Society; Vice President, International Society for Cellular Therapy (2008-12). He has received national (RCPA, RACP, ASBMB) and international medical research awards.

Dr Susan M Pond has a rare and remarkable combination of talents. Her deep understanding of medicine and biotechnology enables development of informed, substantiated and thoughtful scientific evidence. Her ability to work at intersections between fields enables delivery of multidisciplinary studies that achieve real impact. Her business and analytical skills have helps many individual firms survive and deliver innovative products and services. Her ability to facilitate constructive engagement between very different perspectives enables significant contribution to emerging fields and industries, and to new policy frameworks for rapidly changing national and global innovation systems.

Professor Carol Pollock has an international reputation, with over 240 publications (H index 47; Citation index 6688 since 2009); is recognised with a Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in Research Supervision and as a ‘Distinguished Professor’ by the University of Sydney. She is consistently invited to deliver lectures nationally and internationally and was Scientific Chairman of the 2013 World Congress of Nephrology. Health leadership roles include inaugural Chair of the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, immediate past Chair of the Clinical Excellence Commission (remaining as a director of both organisations) and current Chair of the Northern Sydney Local Health District Board.

Professor Anushka Patel’s research focus is on the development and evaluation of high-impact solutions to improve delivery of effective treatments to people with or at high risk of cardiovascular and related chronic conditions. With a conjoint professorial appointment at the University of Sydney, she is currently the Chief Scientist (global) of The George Institute for Global Health, a medical research institute with offices in Sydney, Beijing, New Delhi and Oxford, focused on discovering solutions for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and injury. Prof Patel has a medical degree from the University of Sydney, a Master of Science degree from Harvard University and a PhD from the University of Sydney.

For her program of health services research, which includes an innovative technology based primary care ecosystem and “polypill”-based strategies for delivering essential preventive healthcare, Prof Patel has attracted over $40 million of funding from domestic and international sources.

Professor Patel’s current roles include invited authorship of a chapter on novel models of cardiovascular healthcare for the Disease Control Priorities Project (3rd ed), produced by the World Bank for policy makers, and membership of the selection panel member for the UK Health Systems Research Initiative, funded by DfID, Wellcome Trust, Economic and Social Research Council and the Medical Research Council. She is a member of the National Heart Foundation’s Research Committee and was formerly Chair of the Clinical Trials Council of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. In 2014, she chaired the Epidemiology & Prevention Stream for the 2014 World Congress of Cardiology. Professor Patel is a practicing cardiologist and in 2011 was named one of the 100 most influential people in Sydney by the Sydney Morning Herald.