UNSW experts in big data, assisted reproductive technology and research innovation have been appointed to National Health and Medical Research Council committees that will help shape the future of Australia’s research sector.

Professor Louisa Jorm, Head of UNSW’s Centre for Big Data Research in Health, has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Health Ethics Committee.

Professor William (Bill) Ledger, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at UNSW’s School of Women's & Children's Health, has been appointed to the NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee.

UNSW Professor Maria Kavallaris, the co-director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and Program Head at the Children’s Cancer Institute, has been appointed to the NHMRC Research Committee.

Professor Kavallaris said the appointment was a great honour.

“The committee gives you a voice in a forum that is important for health and medical research, and puts you in a position to influence funding policy,” Professor Kavallaris said.

“It’s very important that we identify opportunities for the sector as they arise, and ensure that health and medical research has strong representation where and when it most counts.”

NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso said she was delighted by the high calibre of the new appointees and their willingness to contribute their time and expertise.

“We are only as strong as the people we have to help us. Our new committee members are leaders in their fields, and I believe that the range of skills, commitment and experience they bring will place us in an excellent position to meet the varied challenges facing the health and medical research sector,” Professor Anne Kelso said.

For a copy of the NHMRC media release visit the NHMRC website