Two medical research leaders from the University of Newcastle have been appointed to high-level advisory committees with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Director, Professor Michael Nilsson, joins the Health Translation Advisory Committee (HTAC) while Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Research) at the University of Newcastle, becomes a member of the Research Committee.
The HTAC advises on opportunities to improve health outcomes in areas such as clinical care, public, population and environmental health, communicable diseases and prevention of illness through effective translation of research into health care and clinical practice.
Professor Nilsson brings a wealth of experience in research translation from senior executive roles in Sweden and Australia and is internationally renowned for his studies into astrocyte biology, neuroprotection, brain plasticity and neural recovery after stroke.
Accompanying his role as Director of HMRI, Professor Nilsson is Burges Professor of Medical Science at the University of Newcastle, and co-leader of the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery.
The Research Committee provides support and awards grants on the basis of scientific quality, as judged by peer-review, across the entire spectrum of health and medical research.
Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley is a globally-recognised research leader in gastrointestinal disorders, contributing prolifically to international medical journals.
He currently serves as President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (UK), the American College of Physicians and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Professor Caroline McMillen, Vice Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, said the two appointments reflected the research excellence that underpins the partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and HMRI.
“It is an honour for the region and our research community to have colleagues appointed to these significant national committees, and a tribute to the outstanding work of both Professor Nilsson and Laureate Professor Talley,” Professor McMillen said.
“With investment, translation and research integrity figuring prominently in the NHMRC’s strategy for health and medical research, both research leaders will play critical roles in shaping the national funding landscape and guidelines over the next three years.”
