Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB)

Role

AMRAB’s key role is to determine and publish the:

Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy (every 5 years)
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities (every 2 years).

AMRAB does this through a consultation process.

Terms of reference

AMRAB reports to us. Read the AMRAB terms of reference.

Members

The Australian Government appoints the members of AMRAB, which include:

the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (as an Ex-Officio Member)
experts from the health and medical research sector
highly regarded representatives of the wider Australian community.

The government chooses the members of AMRAB carefully to ensure the board has the right skills and experience to guide MRFF spending.

Australia has a strong track record in medical research and discoveries. AMRAB members have all contributed to research outcomes and will continue to advance Australia's research potential.

Two international advisors provide expert advice about relevant international activities as required.

The government appointed the following members on 27 March 2026.

Member	Background and experience	Declarations of interest
Professor Kathryn North AC (Chair)	Professor North is the Director of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at The University of Melbourne. She has experience in high level research strategy and leadership through MRFF expert advisory panels, the NHMRC Research Committee, research institutes and international scientific advisory committees. Kathryn was Lead Investigator of Australian Genomics (2016-2025) and served as Co-Chair of the Expert Advisory Group of Genomics Australia (2023-2025). She is Vice-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) (2014-). ‘With the increasing alignment between MRFF and NHMRC, there is a golden opportunity to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact more rapidly than ever before. I look forward to contributing to the strategic work of AMRAB to strengthen and sustain our vibrant health and medical research sector.’	Director, MCRI. Board Member, Victorian Clinical Genetics Service. (This is a wholly owned subsidiary of MCRI and is a private not-for-profit provider of clinical and diagnostic genetic services.) Board Member, Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance. Board Member, Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI). Co-Chair, Advisory Board, Australian Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Member, International Advisory Board, Toronto Sick Kids (Canada). Chair, International Precision Child Health Partnership – MCRI. Chair, The Royal Children’s Hospital (Australia). Chair, Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids (Canada). Chair, Boston Children's Hospital (USA). Chair, International Advisory Board, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health (UK). Vice-Chair, GA4GH. Co-Chair, GA4GH National Initiatives Forum.
Professor Kenneth Smith (Deputy Chair)	Professor Smith is Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI). He is the Lorenzo and Pamela Galli Chair in Medical Research and Head of the Department of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne. Ken is an internationally recognised clinician–scientist in immunology, with leadership experience in Australia and the UK. He was Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge and founder of the Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease. ‘The MRFF is a critical lever in Australia’s research system, and this is a pivotal moment to ensure it is deployed with clarity and ambition alongside broader national reforms. I look forward to contributing to a coherent, impactful strategy that strengthens the pipeline from fundamental discovery through to translation and improves health outcomes for all Australians.’	Director, WEHI. Emeritus Senior Clinical Investigator, National Institute of Health Research. Chairman, European Vasculitis Genetics Consortium. Board Member, AAMRI Board. Member, AAMRI VIC Committee. Board Member, Research Australia Board. Chair, Medical Research Council (UK) Centres of Research Excellence standing panel. Advisor, CK Life Sciences International. Board Member, Melbourne Academic Centre for Health Board of Directors. Board Member, Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Board. Member, Science Foundation MAVRI Scientific Advisory Committee. Board Member, Doherty Institute, Scientific Advisory Board.
Professor Fabienne Mackay	Professor Mackay is the immediate past Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (2020-2025). She is a board member of Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia) and serves on the MRFF/NHMRC Industry, Philanthropy and Commercialisation Committee. Fabienne has held senior research and leadership roles. These include Director of the Autoimmunity Research Unit at the Garvan Institute and Head of the Department of Immunology and Pathology at Monash University (2009–2015). Fabienne was also the inaugural Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Melbourne (2015–2020). ‘Strategic MRFF investment in medical research has the power to drive medical breakthroughs, improve population health and propel economic growth through innovation and productivity.’	Board Member, Breakthrough T1D. Member, NHMRC/MRFF Industry, Philanthropy, Commercialisation Committee. Strategic advisor, A*STAR Singapore, part time – remote.
Professor Louise Maple-Brown	Professor Maple-Brown is Senior Endocrinologist at Royal Darwin Hospital and Honorary Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. She has over 20 years’ leadership experience in Aboriginal health on Larrakia country, Darwin, Northern Territory. Louise established and led the Diabetes across the Lifecourse: Northern Australian Partnership (2012–2024). She has served as Head of Endocrinology, Royal Darwin Hospital (2012–2022) and Deputy Director (Research), Menzies School of Health Research (2023–2024). ‘I look forward to contributing strategically to the next stage of the MRFF. I welcome the stronger alignment between NHMRC and MRFF and the commitment to improving health outcomes in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and community-controlled organisations.’	Member, NHMRC-MRFF Public Health and Health Systems Committee. Member, Clinical Governance Committee of Danila Dilba Biluru Butji Binnilutlum Health Service Limited. Member, Mentorship Committee of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Honorary Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research. Senior Endocrinologist, Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals, Northern Territory Health. Chief Investigator on grants funded by NHMRC and MRFF. Previous member of the Australian Diabetes Society Board (2014-2022). Chair and Director, Maple-Brown Family Foundation.
Doctor Jack Nunn	Dr Nunn is Director of Science for All and Chair of the Standardised Data on Initiatives (STARDIT) Steering Committee. He co-chairs the Cochrane Patient and Public Involvement Executive and serves on the NHMRC-MRFF Consumer Advisory Group. Jack has led and contributed to research projects internationally, supporting public involvement in science and research. ‘Research is for everyone. I look forward to working to involve the public in shaping our future research priorities in transparent, inclusive and evidence-informed ways.’	Director, Science for All. Member, NHMRC-MRFF Consumer Advisory Committee.
Professor Judy Searle	Professor Searle is Board Chair of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Professor at Griffith University. She has extensive experience in health and aged care leadership, with expertise in government, corporate and clinical governance. Judy also advises on health system performance and medical practitioner regulation at both state and federal levels. ‘I hope to bring a strong equity, value and cost- effective lens when providing advice on the distribution of significant amounts of public money such as the MRFF to applicants and the Australian public.’	Board Chair, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Governing Board. Board Member, Alwyndor (Aged Care Provider) Management Committee. Assessor, Medical Practitioners Panel, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Professor, School of Medicine, Griffith University. Member, Australian Commission Safety and Quality in Health Care, Clinical Governance Advisory Committee. Retired Fellow Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Registered Medical Practitioner (General), Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Past recipient NHMRC Evidence Based Clinical Practice Research Program Project Grant 1998.
Professor Steve Wesselingh (Ex-Officio Member)	Professor Wesselingh is the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council. 'The MRFF is the government’s opportunity to invest to solve the health and medical challenges of Australia today.'	Nil.
Professor Andrew Wilson AO	Professor Wilson is the Co-Director of the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data (University of Sydney). He is also Professor of Public Health in the Sydney School of Public Health. Andrew has specialist qualifications in clinical medicine and public health, and a PhD in epidemiology. Andrew is the Chair of the Independent Accreditation Committee of the Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency. He is also a board member of Bellberry Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation providing human research ethics assessments largely for clinical trials. ‘Australian researchers are internationally recognised for quality of their research. The MRFF is a critical initiative supporting priority driven health and medical research focused on translation and commercialisation aiming to make the most of that research capacity. I am honoured to selected to be a member of the Advisory Board for this program.‘	Board Director, Bellberry Ltd. Chair, Independent Accreditation Committee, Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency. Chair, Onshore Vaccine Program Scientific Advisory Committee. Chair, Clinical Excellence Commission, NSW Health. Co-Director, Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.
Declarations are accurate as of 27 March 2026. No conflicts of interest required action beyond ‘register’, as defined in the MRFF declarations of interest policy statement.

Member

Background and experience

Declarations of interest

Professor Kathryn North AC (Chair)

Professor North is the Director of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at The University of Melbourne. She has experience in high level research strategy and leadership through MRFF expert advisory panels, the NHMRC Research Committee, research institutes and international scientific advisory committees.

Kathryn was Lead Investigator of Australian Genomics (2016-2025) and served as Co-Chair of the Expert Advisory Group of Genomics Australia (2023-2025). She is Vice-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) (2014-).

‘With the increasing alignment between MRFF and NHMRC, there is a golden opportunity to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact more rapidly than ever before.

I look forward to contributing to the strategic work of AMRAB to strengthen and sustain our vibrant health and medical research sector.’

Director, MCRI.

Board Member, Victorian Clinical Genetics Service. (This is a wholly owned subsidiary of MCRI and is a private not-for-profit provider of clinical and diagnostic genetic services.)

Board Member, Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance.

Board Member, Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI).

Co-Chair, Advisory Board, Australian Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.

Member, International Advisory Board, Toronto Sick Kids (Canada).

Chair, International Precision Child Health Partnership – MCRI.

Chair, The Royal Children’s Hospital (Australia).

Chair, Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids (Canada).

Chair, Boston Children's Hospital (USA).

Chair, International Advisory Board, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health (UK).

Vice-Chair, GA4GH.

Co-Chair, GA4GH National Initiatives Forum.

Professor Kenneth Smith (Deputy Chair)

Professor Smith is Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI). He is the Lorenzo and Pamela Galli Chair in Medical Research and Head of the Department of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne.

Ken is an internationally recognised clinician–scientist in immunology, with leadership experience in Australia and the UK. He was Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge and founder of the Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease.

‘The MRFF is a critical lever in Australia’s research system, and this is a pivotal moment to ensure it is deployed with clarity and ambition alongside broader national reforms. I look forward to contributing to a coherent, impactful strategy that strengthens the pipeline from fundamental discovery through to translation and improves health outcomes for all Australians.’

Director, WEHI.

Emeritus Senior Clinical Investigator, National Institute of Health Research.

Chairman, European Vasculitis Genetics Consortium.

Board Member, AAMRI Board.

Member, AAMRI VIC Committee.

Board Member, Research Australia Board.

Chair, Medical Research Council (UK) Centres of Research Excellence standing panel.

Advisor, CK Life Sciences International.

Board Member, Melbourne Academic Centre for Health Board of Directors.

Board Member, Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Board.

Member, Science Foundation MAVRI Scientific Advisory Committee.

Board Member, Doherty Institute, Scientific Advisory Board.

Professor Fabienne Mackay

Professor Mackay is the immediate past Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (2020-2025). She is a board member of Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia) and serves on the MRFF/NHMRC Industry, Philanthropy and Commercialisation Committee.

Fabienne has held senior research and leadership roles. These include Director of the Autoimmunity Research Unit at the Garvan Institute and Head of the Department of Immunology and Pathology at Monash University (2009–2015). Fabienne was also the inaugural Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Melbourne (2015–2020).

‘Strategic MRFF investment in medical research has the power to drive medical breakthroughs, improve population health and propel economic growth through innovation and productivity.’

Board Member, Breakthrough T1D.

Member, NHMRC/MRFF Industry, Philanthropy, Commercialisation Committee.

Strategic advisor, A*STAR Singapore, part time – remote.

Professor Louise Maple-Brown

Professor Maple-Brown is Senior Endocrinologist at Royal Darwin Hospital and Honorary Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. She has over 20 years’ leadership experience in Aboriginal health on Larrakia country, Darwin, Northern Territory.

Louise established and led the Diabetes across the Lifecourse: Northern Australian Partnership (2012–2024). She has served as Head of Endocrinology, Royal Darwin Hospital (2012–2022) and Deputy Director (Research), Menzies School of Health Research (2023–2024).

‘I look forward to contributing strategically to the next stage of the MRFF. I welcome the stronger alignment between NHMRC and MRFF and the commitment to improving health outcomes in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and community-controlled organisations.’

Member, NHMRC-MRFF Public Health and Health Systems Committee.

Member, Clinical Governance Committee of Danila Dilba Biluru Butji Binnilutlum Health Service Limited.

Member, Mentorship Committee of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Honorary Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research.

Senior Endocrinologist, Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals, Northern Territory Health.

Chief Investigator on grants funded by NHMRC and MRFF.

Previous member of the Australian Diabetes Society Board (2014-2022).

Chair and Director, Maple-Brown Family Foundation.

Doctor Jack Nunn

Dr Nunn is Director of Science for All and Chair of the Standardised Data on Initiatives (STARDIT) Steering Committee. He co-chairs the Cochrane Patient and Public Involvement Executive and serves on the NHMRC-MRFF Consumer Advisory Group.

Jack has led and contributed to research projects internationally, supporting public involvement in science and research.

‘Research is for everyone. I look forward to working to involve the public in shaping our future research priorities in transparent, inclusive and evidence-informed ways.’

Director, Science for All.

Member, NHMRC-MRFF Consumer Advisory Committee.

Professor Judy Searle

Professor Searle is Board Chair of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Professor at Griffith University. She has extensive experience in health and aged care leadership, with expertise in government, corporate and clinical governance.

Judy also advises on health system performance and medical practitioner regulation at both state and federal levels.

‘I hope to bring a strong equity, value and cost- effective lens when providing advice on the distribution of significant amounts of public money such as the MRFF to applicants and the Australian public.’

Board Chair, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Governing Board.

Board Member, Alwyndor (Aged Care Provider) Management Committee.

Assessor, Medical Practitioners Panel, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Professor, School of Medicine, Griffith University.

Member, Australian Commission Safety and Quality in Health Care, Clinical Governance Advisory Committee.

Retired Fellow Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Registered Medical Practitioner (General), Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Past recipient NHMRC Evidence Based Clinical Practice Research Program Project Grant 1998.

Professor Steve Wesselingh (Ex-Officio Member)

Professor Wesselingh is the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council.

'The MRFF is the government’s opportunity to invest to solve the health and medical challenges of Australia today.'

Nil.

Professor Andrew Wilson AO

Professor Wilson is the Co-Director of the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data (University of Sydney). He is also Professor of Public Health in the Sydney School of Public Health. Andrew has specialist qualifications in clinical medicine and public health, and a PhD in epidemiology.

Andrew is the Chair of the Independent Accreditation Committee of the Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency. He is also a board member of Bellberry Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation providing human research ethics assessments largely for clinical trials.

‘Australian researchers are internationally recognised for quality of their research. The MRFF is a critical initiative supporting priority driven health and medical research focused on translation and commercialisation aiming to make the most of that research capacity. I am honoured to selected to be a member of the Advisory Board for this program.‘

Board Director, Bellberry Ltd.

Chair, Independent Accreditation Committee, Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency.

Chair, Onshore Vaccine Program Scientific Advisory Committee.

Chair, Clinical Excellence Commission, NSW Health.

Co-Director, Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.

Declarations are accurate as of 27 March 2026.
No conflicts of interest required action beyond ‘register’, as defined in the MRFF declarations of interest policy statement.

International advisors
Advisor	Background and experience
Professor Lucy Chappell	Professor Chappell is Chief Scientific Adviser and Director General in the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care. She is CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research and a Professor of Obstetrics at King’s College London.
Dr Tammy Clifford	Dr Clifford is a PhD epidemiologist. She is Vice-President of Strategic Science and External Relations at the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Tammy is also an Adjunct Professor, School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa.

Contact

Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) contact

The Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) advises the Minister for Health on prioritising spending from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

MRFF@health.gov.au

Australian Medical Research Advisory Board

Date last updated:

7 April 2026

Tags:

Health data and medical research