Flinders University’s Professor Karen Reynolds has joined the advisory board for the multi-billion-dollar Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund.
The MRFF aims to deliver life-saving and life-changing medical breakthroughs from Australian research institutes and companies to deliver improved healthcare and innovative economic outcomes in the future.
The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, said the eight-member board will advise the Government on how funds held in the MRFF should be allocated.
“Through their expert and independent advice to the Government, the advisory board will play a key role in delivering on the MRFF’s agenda to support our world-class researchers and reinforce our nation’s great research reputation,” Ms Ley said.
It is expected the MRFF will eventually provide around $1 billion a year in additional funding for health and medical research.
Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Reynolds, the director of the Medical Device Research Institute at Flinders at Tonsley, said she is honoured to be a part of the new Australian Medical Research Advisory Board.
Professor Reynolds also leads the Medical Device Partnering Program at Flinders which convenes researchers, industry and end-users of medical technologies, resulting in novel devices that improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients.
Other members of the advisory board are:
Chairman and noted scientist Professor Ian Frazer is also president of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science and member of the Commonwealth Science Council. He is also Chairman of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s Medical Research Advisory Committee.
Professor Peter Høj, the Vice-Chancellor of The University of Queensland and previous VC of the University of South Australia.
Professor Doug Hilton, president of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institute, Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and Head of the Department of Medical Biology at The University of Melbourne.
Dr Deborah Rathjen – Managing Director of Adelaide-based biotech company Bionomics. The biotech-biomedical firm has a $200 million market capitalisation.
Mr Yasser El-Ansary – Chief Executive of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association where he is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organisation’s work in representing the private equity and venture capital industry in Australia.
Ms Jennifer Williams the previous Chief Executive of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and held a range of senior management positions in the public and private sectors.
Professor Anne Kelso the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council.