The GP, researcher and educator returns to DoHAC as the nation's top doctor. Plus, 12 of our brightest are about to invade the US.
Professor Michael Kidd AO has been appointed as the nation’s chief medical officer effective from 1 June.
Professor Kidd, a GP, researcher and educator is a former president of both the Royal Australian College of GPs and the World Organization of Family Doctors.
He is currently professor of global primary care and future health systems at the University of Oxford, and director of the Centre for Future Health Systems at the University of NSW.
Professor Kidd is a board member of Telstra Health and the George Institute for Global Health.
He served as deputy CMO and principal medical advisor with the Department of Health and Aged Care during the covid pandemic making a “significant contribution to the national primary care response”, according to the DoHAC announcement.
“I am looking forward to rejoining the Department of Health and Aged Care and supporting national reforms in public health and healthcare services,” he said.
Professor Kidd replaces Tony Lawlor who has been in the role since 22 October 2024 following the resignation of Paul Kelly.
Twelve of our best head to the US
A dozen of Australia’s best and brightest health, medical and biotech brains are off to the US to take up prestigious Fulbright scholarships.
The Fulbright Program, a renowned international academic exchange program run since 1946 has produced Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners, and has award-winning researchers and heads of state among some its notable alumni.
Here are the Australian medical luminaries in this year’s scholars:
Professor Nada Hamad is a senior staff specialist in transplant and cellular therapies and a clinical and laboratory haematologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. As the president of the Australia and New Zealand Transplant and Cellular Therapies, she is a leader in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies. Her Fulbright project at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center focuses on enhancing accessibility to cellular therapies in Australia by leveraging big data and laboratory innovations. The project aims to mitigate the impact of social determinants of health and develop cost-effective, scalable solutions to expand access to life-saving treatments globally.
Dr Dan Clayton-Chubb is a currently practicing specialist gastroenterologist with particular interests in epidemiology, public health, and preventive care. Among other roles, gastroenterologists work to prevent and diagnose colorectal cancers, which is what his Fulbright will focus on – the epidemiology and eventual prevention of the growing epidemic of early-onset colorectal cancers in younger adults.
Dr Joshua Kovoor is a surgical registrar and researcher dedicated to improving surgical training and patient outcomes. He completed his medical degree at the University of Adelaide in 2021 and developed artificial intelligence systems, including the Adelaide Score, during his PhD. Now based in regional Victoria, he focuses on rural surgery. As a Fulbright Future Scholar, he will explore the intersection of robotic surgery and artificial intelligence to advance surgical care.
Dr Brooke Pereira is a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, specialising in pancreatic cancer. Her work employs cutting-edge techniques like proteomics and intravital imaging to identify new therapeutic targets. As a Fulbright Future Scholar, she will collaborate with Professor Edna Cukierman at Fox Chase Cancer Center to analyse pancreatic cancer specimens using spatial digital mapping and AI-driven analysis, aiming to improve treatment outcomes for this lethal disease.
Dr Allen Gu is a resident doctor completing his basic physician training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. With a background in medicine, applied mathematics, and biotechnology, he has conducted research at leading institutions such as the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will pursue biostatistical training in the US to advance computational cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
Dr Antonia Kolovos is a clinician-scientist specialising in ophthalmology, genetics, and public health. With experience working in South Australia and developing countries, her research focuses on the genetics of blinding eye disorders and equitable access to genetic testing. As a Fulbright Scholar, she will develop a genetic test to identify individuals at greatest risk of blindness from glaucoma.
Dr David Motorniak is a resident doctor in Melbourne, passionate about ethics in public health policy. A graduate of Monash University with a Doctor of Medicine and an Honours year in bioethics, he also holds a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will study bioethics, exploring its application to emerging challenges like pandemic preparedness and chronic disease prevention.
Dr Christian Said is an academic and interventional cardiologist with over a decade of service in NSW Health. His research at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute focuses on using temporary heart pumps to manage life-threatening heart attacks. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will collaborate with Tufts University in Boston to improve the application of these critical devices and advance patient outcomes.
Associate Professor Brahman Sivakumar is an orthopaedic hand, wrist, and microsurgeon at Royal North Shore Hospital and an associate professor at the University of Sydney. He conducts translational research on hand and peripheral nerve surgery and is currently pursuing a PhD through the University of Sydney. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will investigate the use of targeted muscle reinnervation for pain relief in cases of amputation or peripheral nerve trauma, identifying factors associated with successful outcomes.
Charlotte Sofield is a PhD candidate at the University of Notre Dame Australia, based in Fremantle. Her research focuses on the health effects of oral microplastic exposure, particularly its impact on the gut-brain axis. As a Fulbright Scholar, she will study the effects of early-life microplastic exposure on brain development, contributing to a foundation for future clinical research on microplastic impacts.
Tia Valentini recently completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours Class I) at the University of New South Wales, where she developed a passion for research on gene regulation and its role in disease. As a Fulbright Scholar, her PhD research will explore molecular mechanisms driving the aging process and age-related diseases, aiming to inform the development of therapies that extend health span – that is, living healthier for longer.
Dr Joshua Wong is a cardiologist and PhD Research Fellow in cardio-oncology and heart failure at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne. He works clinically at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will collaborate with world experts in cardio-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. His research focuses on developing tools which help identify which survivors are at greatest risk of cardiovascular disease. His passion is to prevent the cancer patient of today from becoming the heart failure patient.
Related
New CCO for INOVIQ
Dr Emma Ball, the current chair of BioMelbourne Network, has been appointed as chief commercial officer for ASX-listed biotech INOVIQ, effective from 22 April.
Dr Ball is a biotechnology commercialisation expert with 25 years of experience in strategic and operational roles spanning therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics. She joins INOVIQ from US-headquartered genomics and precision health leader, Illumina where she was global head of ecosystem development and responsible for strategic partnerships.
Previously, she spent 15 years at CSL Limited in various leadership roles in business development and licensing, corporate strategy, commercial development and R&D program management. She led search and evaluation, due diligence and negotiations for multiple transactions including research collaborations, co-development, in- and out-licensing deals, and mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
“I am thrilled to be joining INOVIQ at such a pivotal time in the company’s growth. I was drawn to INOVIQ’s diverse portfolio of diagnostics, therapeutics and research tools, underpinned by its novel exosome technology platform,” said Dr Ball.
“I will leverage my commercialisation and partnering expertise to accelerate development and accessibility of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer and other critical diseases.”
Oncosil names CFO
Pancreatic cancer treatment biotech Oncosil has named Shelley Steyn as its new chief financial officer, effective from 5 May.
Ms Steyn has more than 17 years in senior accounting, commercial and financial analysis and audit roles, joining Oncosil from Flynn Global ANZ, a division of Flynn Group LP, a multibillion-dollar franchise operator in the US.
Prior roles include with then-ASX 200 radiopharmaceutical medical device company, Sirtex Medical; Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Grant Thornton.
This appointment follows the resignation of Christian Dal Cin as CFO and company secretary, effective 31 March.