The Centenary Institute has announced the appointment of Professor Marc Pellegrini as its new executive director.
A physician, immunologist and research scientist, Professor Pellegrini has over 20 years of experience working on chronic infections.
Professor Pellegrini is currently head of the infectious diseases and immune defence division at the WEHI in Melbourne.
The Centenary Institute said it had appointed Professor Pellegrini due to his scientific skills and leadership experience.
“This will include the Institute’s participation in the ground-breaking Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) at Camperdown, with the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) and the University of Sydney,” it said.
Concurrently with his appointment at Centenary, Professor Pellegrini has been appointed as a Professor at the University of Sydney.
“It’s an immense honour and privilege to be taking on the position of Executive Director at such a well-regarded organisation as the Centenary Institute. It’s one of Australia’s leading independent medical research institutes and is particularly well known for its research efforts in the critical areas of cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Pellegrini.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of Centenary’s future and helping the Institute continue its fantastic work in unlocking our knowledge of complex diseases. The SBA presents the Centenary with a unique opportunity for improved impact and provides an avenue to attract wonderful donors and excellent, curious scientists. I was drawn to the possibilities which the Centenary provides for discovery, growth and scientific excellence, working alongside the innovative SBA.”
The Chair of the Centenary Institute Board, Joseph Carrozzi AM, said, “We are delighted to appoint Professor Pellegrini as the new Executive Director at Centenary. His move from the celebrated WEHI in Melbourne is a strong endorsement of Centenary’s excellence. It is also a coup for NSW, as the Institute looks to benefit from the massive investment in the new SBA precinct – we can look positively to grow and to attract eminent researchers in the quest to improve discoveries in this highly competitive field of medical research.
“Professor Pellegrini’s background and experience is well known, as is his effectiveness in leading major collaborations in researching complex disease. The Nominations Committee was impressed with his appetite for growth and his innovative thinking.”
