Fisk to head clinical research centre

The University of Queensland (UQ) has appointed leading medical researcher Professor Nicholas Fisk to head a major new clinical research centre.

Fisk, formerly professor of obstetrics and foetal medicine at Imperial College London, has been appointed director of the UQ Centre for Clinical Research - a $66 million facility under construction at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

A Sydney medical graduate, Fisk has an international reputation in medical research in the fields of foetal and maternal health, stem cell biology and translational medicine.

He previously headed London research centres focused on foetal medicine and obstetrics and gynaecology.

The seven-storey purpose-built UQCCR complex is funded by a partnership between the Queensland Government and major US philanthropic organisation Atlantic Philanthropies. Construction is expected to be finished at the end of the year, when Fisk will take up his new position.

The facility will house around 300 specially selected researchers focused on patient-orientated research, conducted in response to questions that arise at the bedside.