Fellowship ​

Professor Andrew Wei is an internationally recognised leader in the field of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). He has led nationwide trial development in Australia for 14 years as the AML chair for the ALLG. His laboratory has made pre-clinical contributions to the clinical development of BH3-mimetics in AML culminating in the regulatory approval of venetoclax by the FDA in 2020 and the Australian PBAC in 2021. Wei’s lab has conducted research studies investigating the molecular mechanisms of response and resistance to venetoclax-based therapy. He leads the AML program at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and a research laboratory at WEHI.

Professor Shyamali Dharmage is a world-recognised leader in epidemiology of chronic lung diseases whose research has led to paradigm changes, generated a new field of research (‘pre-COPD’) and changed guidelines worldwide. Her recognition of excellence is evidenced by national/international advisory board invitations (e.g. Lancet Commissioner in COPD), invited presentations (>90) and multiple prestigious awards (e.g. European Respiratory Society Fellow). She has >500 publications (e.g. Lancet), $74.2M funding and makes sustained professional contributions through leadership in research (e.g. TAHS&MACS PI; RHINESSA Australian PI) and mentoring/training (27 completed PhDs; four postdocs now Professor). She promotes health/medical science through education/workshops and consumer group engagement.

Professor Susan Walker is a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist and clinical academic. She is Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and co-Director of Mercy Perinatal. Her research focuses on improving the detection of fetal growth restriction-the single biggest risk factor for stillbirth. She also co-leads international clinical trials of medications to prevent and treat preeclampsia. Susan is a passionate advocate for training the next generation of clinician-scientists. Her professional, academic and clinical leadership roles mean she can rapidly facilitate knowledge translation. She has over 200 publications and is Chief Investigator on research grants totalling more than $22 million.

Professor Ego Seeman is recognised as a global leader in the field of bone health through a series of studies that have transformed our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis. His pioneering studies on bone growth in utero, and delineation of sex and racial differences in bone architecture during growth help explain the sex and racial differences in fractures in adulthood. His work in cortical and trabecular microstructural deterioration as a cause of bone fragility has provided important insights into bone fragility. He is among the top 10 most-cited investigators in the bone field worldwide.