- Professor Fiona Wood joins WA’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund’s Advisory Council
- Professor Wood is internationally recognised for burns research and ‘spray-on skin
- Bringing local knowledge and experience in research, innovation, and commercialisation
One of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and medical researchers has been appointed to the Cook Government’s key medical research advisory council.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said he was very pleased to announce that Professor Fiona Wood, recently awarded Officer of the Order of Australia, was joining the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Advisory Council.
A specialist burns surgeon and researcher for more than 30 years, Professor Wood is a:
Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia (BSWA), and the Burn Injury Research Unit UWA;
Consultant plastic surgeon at both Fiona Stanley Hospital,and Perth Children’s Hospital; and
Winthrop Professor at the University of WA’s School of Surgery.
Professor Wood also co-founded the first skin cell laboratory in Western Australia with scientist Marie Stoner, and they pioneered an innovative ‘spray-on skin’ technique to reduce permanent scarring in burns victims – a procedure used worldwide today.
In 2002 Professor Wood led the team that treated survivors of the Bali bombings – working around the clock alongside 19 surgeons and 130 medical staff in four operating theatres to treat 28 casualties who were airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“I am thrilled to welcome the esteemed Professor Fiona Wood to the FHRI Fund Advisory Council.
“A former Western Australia Citizen of the Year, Australian of the Year, and internationally recognised leader in burns care, Professor Burns will be a valuable asset to research and innovation in WA.
“Professor Wood’s clinical excellence and burns research have improved the quality-of-life outcomes of burn patients – both here in Western Australia and across the world.
“Our Government has a vision to make WA a global hub for innovation and medical research, and Professor Wood’s appointment to the FHRI Funds Advisory Council is another significant step to bringing this to fruition.”
