Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB)

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

Role

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

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)
  • 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 also participate in AMRAB meetings to provide expert advice about relevant international activities as required

MemberBackground and experienceDeclarations of interest

Professor Caroline Homer AO

(Acting Chair)

Professor Homer is the Deputy Director for Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Burnet Institute and Emeritus Professor of Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney. She was the Chair and National President of the Australian College of Midwives from 2014 to 2018. She is now Chair of the Council of National Health and Medical Research Council.

'Australia needs strong, capable and resilient health systems at all levels from big hospitals to small health centres in remote communities.'

Immediate Past President of Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Professor Tom Calma AO

Professor Calma is the Chancellor of the University of Canberra and Professor of Practice (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Sydney.

'The MRFF can help Close the Gap in Indigenous health inequality by funding co-designed and implemented research with Indigenous communities.'

Director of ALMAC Pty Ltd, Ninti One Ltd, Ninti Pty Ltd, Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, Living First Language Platform Co., Reconciliation Australia.

Advisory Board member to the Poche Indigenous Health Centres.

Contractor to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

NHMRC and MRFF grant funding recipient.

Professor Denise Doolan

Professor Doolan is the Director of Research at the University of Queensland Institute for Molecular Bioscience.

'The MRFF covers the whole pipeline from the researcher’s benchtop to the doctor at the bedside. This means we can translate medical discoveries into practical benefits.'

Nil
Mr Yasser El-Ansary

Mr El-Ansary is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of FINSIA (the Financial Services Institute of Australasia), which is the peak professional body for the financial services and investment industry in Australia and New Zealand. He was the Chief Executive of the Australian Investment Council from November 2013 to April 2022.

'The MRFF is an innovative, ground-breaking Federal Government commitment to change how we invest in health and medical research.'

Nil
Professor Douglas Hilton AO

Professor Hilton is Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Head of the Department of Medical Biology at The University of Melbourne and former president of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institute.

'Over the next 5 years I look forward to seeing the MRFF demonstrate its value to researchers and the community.'

Head of The Brain Cancer Centre.

Shareholder of a health sector company.

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
Ms Imelda Lynch

Ms Lynch is the Chair of ACH Group, and Director of Bellberry Limited and the Adelaide Football Club. She also provides clinical governance expertise to the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network.

Ms Lynch is former Director of the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia and past CEO of the National Heart Foundation for South Australia and the Northern Territory.

'The MRFF supports research into some of Australia's greatest areas of need and improves knowledge to address the burden of disease. That has a positive effect on our economy.'

Director of Bellberry Limited and ACH Group.

International advisors

AdvisorBackground and experience
Professor Shitij Kapur   Professor Kapur is a clinician-scientist with expertise in psychiatry, neuroscience and brain imaging. He is the President and Principal of King’s College in London in the United Kingdom.
Professor Anna Ranta   Professor Ranta is the Clinical Co-Director of the National Stroke Clot Retrieval Service Improvement Programme of the New Zealand Ministry of Health. She is also a Professor of Neurology and Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Otago.

To find out more about the Board, see Diversity and Aims of AMRAB 2021-2026.

Meetings

AMRAB usually meets in February, July and October.

Communiques

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).
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