- Cook Government announces new expert medical research committee
- Committee to provide strategic advice to Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Advisory Council and Department of Health
- Eight esteemed members appointed with a wide range of experience and expertise
The Cook Government is working to keep Western Australia at the forefront of medical research and innovation by appointing a new expert committee to provide strategic advice on future pathways and priorities.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson welcomed the appointment of the seven members to the new committee and its important role to support the Department of Health and the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Advisory Council.
Expressions of interest to join the Research Expert Committee were received from esteemed health and medical research professionals from across WA universities, medical research institutes and health services.
The members of the new committee include:
Committee member | Organisation |
Professor Asha Bowen | Perth Children’s Hospital and The Kids Research Institute Australia |
Associate Professor Dale Edgar | Armadale Kalamunda Group |
Professor Sue Fletcher | Murdoch University |
Mr Ben Horgan | Royal Perth Bentley Group |
Professor David Mackey | Lions Eye Institute |
Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg | The University of Western Australia/Perth Children’s Hospital |
Professor Bep Uink | HealthInfoNet, Edith Cowan University |
The committee will be further strengthened by the membership of FHRI Fund Advisory Council member Professor Fiona Wood, who will provide alignment between the two groups.
The committee’s expert advice and guidance will ensure the best decisions are made to enhance opportunities for WA researchers and advance WA as a global leader in health and medical research.
This new committee follows the successful establishment of an Aboriginal health expert committee and will soon be complemented by an innovation expert committee.
Together, the three expert committees will provide essential advice and guidance to the State Government, the Department of Health and the FHRI Fund Advisory Council on how to achieve the best possible outcomes for health and medical research and innovation in WA.
The Cook Government established the FHRI Fund in 2020, which is backed by the State’s almost $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund. More than $175 million has been allocated to more than 600 projects. An additional $250 million is available over the next four years to support health and medical research and innovation in WA.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The appointment of this new Research Expert Committee is another important step in the Cook Government’s plan to make Western Australia an international hub for medical research and innovation.
“I congratulate the new committee members on their appointment and I am excited about the future priorities and possibilities that this team will unlock as we continue to build our health and medical research ecosystem in Western Australia.
“The chosen committee members are outstanding individuals in their respective fields with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the area of health and medical research.
“WA is already a pillar within the health research and innovation sectors and this new committee will ensure we continue on this dynamic pathway.”
