Name change for Sydney institute

The Institute of Respiratory Medicine in Sydney has changed its name to the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in honour of its founding director Prof Ann Woolcock AO.

With ties to the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the Institute is known nationally and internationally for its research into a range of respiratory conditions.

"Initially we focused our research purely on asthma, but we came to realize that by working in a range of respiratory areas, such as allergies, sleep, cystic fibrosis and emphysema, we are able to network research technology across many aspects of respiratory health," said Prof Norbert Berend, the current director of the Institute.

The name change also reflects the breadth of research at the institute, which spans basic research into respiratory conditions, epidemiology and clinical research.

Woolcock, who was director until her death from cancer in early 2001, founded the Institute in 1982.

According to Warren Scott, chairman of the board of governors, Woolcock was an influential figure in asthma research, and was often invited to teach in universities around the world.

"Although she was quite well known in Australia, she was extremely well regarded overseas," he noted.

Woolcock received a number of national and international awards including an Officer of the Order of Australia and was a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.