Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB)

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 (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, AAMRI.

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

Member, International Advisory Board, Toronto Sick Kids.

Chair:

• International Precision Child Health Partnership – MCRI
• The Royal Children’s Hospital (Australia)
• Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids (Canada)
• Boston Children's Hospital (USA)
• UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health (UK).

Vice-Chair, Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH).

Co-Chair, GA4GH National Initiatives Forum.

Chair, International Scientific Advisory Board, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.

Professor Caroline Homer AO

(Deputy 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.'

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, Disability and Ageing.

NHMRC and MRFF grant funding recipient.

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.'

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.'

Professor Hilton is the CEO of CSIRO and immediate past Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. He was 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.'

Member of the Board Australians Investing in Women.

Ex-Officio Member of National Science and Technology Council.

Trustee of Science and Industry Endowment Fund.

Fellow of Australian Academy of Science.

Fellow of Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Fellow of Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Honorary Associate of Museums Victoria.

Member of Round the Bend Conservation co-operative.

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.'

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.'