AusBiotech CEO appointed to Research Australia Board

Research Australia has been working for 10 years to make health and medical research a higher priority for the country and was an active advocate this year in response to the rumoured threat that health and medical research funding might be cut dramatically in the May Federal Budget.

The Board, which is Chaired by Bupa Foundation Chair and Dean of Sydney School of Medicine, Dr Christine Bennett, has made a number of new appointments to ensure a balanced and effective governance structure for the organisation.

Dr Lavelle said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to the Research Australia Board and look forward to working with these esteemed board colleagues to support health and medical research in Australian and to bring a biotechnology perspective to the table.”

The appointment compliments a broad range of networks and advisory groups and committees that AusBiotech is involved in, to ensure the representation of biotechnology interests.

Dr Lavelle will join 17 fellow Board members including Dr Chris Roberts, CEO and President of Cochlear, and Deputy Chair Mr Peter Wills, who led the 1999 Health and Medical Research Review that ushered in a new era in Australian research. Research Australia is led by CEO Elizabeth Foley, who recently replaced Rebecca James.

“The future promises outcomes from biotechnologies that can only be made possible through a ‘pipeline’ that begins with and is sustained by health and medical research. The entire value equation from research to commercialisation is vital to the ability to translate research into solutions, treatments and diagnostics to benefit the community, as well as supporting our economy and workforce,” said Dr Lavelle.