New Leaders to Strengthen the Alliance of Australian Health and Medical Researchers

Media Release: Wednesday 11 May 2016

Decades’ worth of highly-specialised experience is being added to the leadership of Research Australia, with the appointment of a new CEO and four new Board members.

Research Australia is an alliance of 160 members and supporters advocating for health and medical research in Australia.

Ms Nadia Levin began her new position as Research Australia’s Managing Director and CEO earlier this year, having held executive positions across the public service, government, media and private sector.

“It is a great challenge and honour to have taken on the role of CEO for Research Australia, an organisation with an impressive track record for shining a light on the value of health and medical research in Australia,” said Ms Levin.

“The Research Australia alliance is committed to driving change in the sector, through our Board and all our members and supporters, in order to support innovation and invention,” said Chair of Research Australia, Professor Christine Bennett AO.

“This is thanks to the broad alliance of members across academia, institutes, health services, pharmaceutical and biotech industries, corporate Australia and consumer groups.

“It is an exciting time for health and medical research, science and innovation in Australia, and Research Australia is uniquely positioned to provide powerful perspectives on all areas in this space,” she said.

Research Australia also welcomes new Board appointments Professor Nicholas Fisk, Dr Adrian Nowitzke, Ms Annette Schmiede and Professor Ian Jacobs, each of whom bring a depth and diversity of expertise.

Professor Fisk is Executive Dean of the University of Queensland’s Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and currently chairs the prestigious Group of Eight Deans of Medicine Committee.

Professor Fisk has an impressive academic and clinical record, garnered through roles at University of Queensland, Imperial College London, and as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

Dr Adrian Nowitzke is General Manager of Health Informatics at Telstra Health, and has wide-ranging experience in management and advisory roles, driving improvements in care and infrastructure.

Having worked in private, public and governmental roles, Dr Nowitzke also maintains a practice in Spine Surgery to keep himself grounded in the frontline issues of healthcare.

Annette Schmiede began her tenure on the Research Australia Board in mid-2015, and is the Executive Leader of the Bupa Health Foundation.

Ms Schmiede brings to the Board her wealth of experience in health and aged care sectors, with a broad knowledge and deep understanding of the complex policy and funding environment.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Professor Ian Jacobs, joins the Research Australia Board with extensive international experience in academic, research and clinical roles.

Professor Jacobs has had a focus on women’s health, and particularly women’s cancer in both developed and developing countries in terms of teaching, clinical care, and research program creation in the UK.

Professor Jacobs’ career has seen him in roles including principal investigator, advisor, director, researcher, committee member and president, in a range of institutions including the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the University of London and the Uganda Women’s Health Initiative.

“We are delighted to welcome Ms Levin, Professor Fisk, Dr Nowitzke, Ms Schmiede and Professor Jacobs to our Board,” said Chair of Research Australia, Professor Christine Bennett AO.

“The reinvigorated Research Australia Board reflects the diversity and strength of our alliance.

“We aim together to ensure that health and medical research in Australia flourishes, and delivers better health care, health outcomes and economic prosperity into the future,” said Professor Bennett.