A Queensland Brain Institute researcher has been elected as a fellow of the newly formed Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, launched this week in Canberra.
QBI’s Professor John McGrath, an expert in epidemiology, is focussing his research on risk factors for schizophrenia.
“It’s a great honour and very humbling to have been included in this new Academy,” Professor McGrath said.
“The Academy will have a particular focus on providing mentorship and support for aspiring academic clinicians and clinically focused researchers,” he said.
“I hope to raise the profile of mental health and neuroscience within the new Academy. I am also very keen to build more links between mental health researchers and QBI.”
Professor McGrath is part of the Queensland Mental Health Research Alliance, which was formed between QBI, QIMR Berghofer and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research of which he is Director.
He joins a eight other UQ fellows elected to the new Academy, which is presided over by UQ’s Professor Ian Frazer is president, and UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robyn Ward is an executive member.
The Academy will provide independent advice to government, industry and the community on issues relating to evidence-based medical practice and research in Australia.
The launch was held at the National Gallery of Australia and attended by Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley.
