Fellowship ​

Professor Leedman is an internationally recognised physician scientist who combines academic translational cancer research and teaching, with running the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and clinical endocrinology. His research has led to several key discoveries on hormone action in cancer as well as patents and company development (MiReven). He has had many senior leadership roles in H&MR, including senior NHMRC activities, Advisory Committees and Chairman of companies, such as Linear Clinical Trials Ltd. He has been recognised with awards from the Australian & UK Endocrine Societies and the WA Government for Innovator of the Year in 2013 for MiReven.

Professor Richard Larkins has combined clinical work in endocrinology and general medicine with research into the causes and complications of diabetes, vitamin D metabolism and other aspects of diabetes and endocrinology. As a clinical academic he was the James Stewart Professor of Medicine for 14 years and Dean of the Faculty of MDHS at the University of Melbourne for 5 years. He ceased active medical practice when he became Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University in 2003. Other leadership positions held have included Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council, President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, President of the Endocrine Society of Australia, Chair of the Accreditation Committee of the Australian Medical Council and Chair of Universities Australia. He remains active in medical and research policy as Chair of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre partnership, Chair of the Council of EMBL Aust, President of the National Stroke Foundation and Chair of the Australian Synchrotron Holding Company.

Professor Nigel Laing is a world-renowned scientist whose work has turned Australia into an international reference centre for neuromuscular diseases. He has identified more than twenty human disease genes and has the rare honour of having a disease named after him. He established the premier diagnostic laboratory for neurogenetic disorders in Australasia, receiving patient samples from around the world.

Nigel actively engages with patient support groups, raising public understanding of medical science.

As a leader, he has been elected five times to the World Muscle Society Board, is a Member of Senate of UWA and is an awarded mentor.

Professor Sharad Kumar’s ground-breaking work in biomedical sciences has been recognised through prestigious fellowships, national and international awards, and election to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science. He has made seminal discoveries that have significantly contributed to the understanding of human diseases such as cancer, inflammation and hypertension. His publications have received extensive citations. With Angel Lopez he established the Centre for Cancer Biology, a leading research centre in South Australia. He has built collaborative teams, bringing major infrastructure funding and contributed to research community extensively through leadership, mentoring and peer review.

Professor Bronwyn Kingwell’s fundamental and clinical research in arterial biomechanics has driven new approaches for the management of arterial diseases. She has pioneered the transition of detailed cellular and molecular studies of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in laboratory models, in particular with regard to glucose metabolism, to a human context. This work has opened major new avenues in HDL therapeutics for treatment of diabetes. Her contributions have also influenced national and international physical activity guidelines. Professor Kingwell has been a leader in defining Australian science policy and is an active mentor.

Although for several decades Professor Kilpatrick contributed to improving health outcomes through clinical practice and research, her key contribution and of relevance to Fellowship of the Academy has been her leadership roles in which she has ensured a strong and sustainable integration between medical research and health care delivery. This has been achieved through articulating a clear vision, relationship building and creating opportunities for integration. As CEO Royal Children’s Hospital, she has taken a lead role in establishing the Melbourne Children’s the partnership between RCH, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, to ensure research is embedded in healthcare delivery.

Professor Michael Kidd AM is an academic general practitioner with a distinguished national and international reputation in health and medical science as a researcher, educator and medical leader. He is a highly regarded international leader in general practice and primary care, has a strong record of advocacy and public service, and has made many contributions to health policy and practice through academic positions, government appointments and professional and community service. His contributions to medical and health science include research in general practice, ehealth, health policy, education, safety and quality, and the primary care management of HIV and sexually transmissible infections.

Professor Khanna is an internationally recognized Translational Immunologist who has made major contributions in the development of cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of virus-associated cancers and infectious complications. He has also developed novel immune-based diagnostic tools which have been successfully commercialised and implemented in clinical settings. He is the founding Director of the QIMR Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development which has been recognized for excellence in research by national and international organizations. He has been invited by various National and International organizations to provide expert advice on the development of clinical guidelines and public awareness of advances in medical research.

Professor Anthony Keech has made sustained important contributions to clinical and basic research to improve Australian and international health through his career, and continues to do so. He is an internationally-renowned cardiologist and clinical triallist with formal expertise in epidemiology, who co-directs the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre in Sydney, with over 160 personnel. He has helped to lead global trials of most of the major established treatments for the care of acute myocardial infarction and has influenced policy locally and internationally, especially in the areas of MI care, lipid management to reduce cardiovascular risk and the treatment of diabetes.

Professor Kaye is an internationally recognised clinician-scientist working who has made a major contribution to the understanding and treatment of heart failure. Prof Kaye is an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow at Baker IDI and an active senior Cardiologist in the Heart Failure- Transplant Unit at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. Professor Kaye holds numerous research grants including an NHMRC Program Grant, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Grant and an NHMRC Development Grant, with cumulative competitive grant support in excess of $44M. Prof Kaye’s translational research has also created a substantial portfolio of intellectual property that has led to the invention of novel medical devices and pharmacological therapies, including 2 spin-out companies that have raised >$100M.