University of Western Australia
An Indigenous health and social worker, cardiovascular disease specialist, two infectious disease paediatricians and a cardiovascular exercise physiologist from The University of Western Australia have been elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
The five UWA health leaders were among 31 new Fellows who were elected by their peers through a competitive process, which recognised their significant and continuing contributions to health and medical sciences.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Anna Nowak said the five experts elected to the academy spoke to the strength of leadership and expertise at UWA.
“The academics joining the Academy represent multiple fields of discipline and have had a positive impact on the health of many people from diverse backgrounds,” Professor Nowak said.
“Their shared knowledge continues to benefit community, industry and government to inform and improve health outcomes for people all around the world.”
Professor Dawn Bessarab, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health at UWA, was elected for her exceptional Indigenous leadership, knowledge, expertise and contribution through research in Indigenous health and social work.
Professor Bessarab co-developed the framework on clinical yarning as an Indigenous conversation which is now widely applied across Australian and international communities, changing the way clinicians and health practitioners engage with Aboriginal patients.
Professor Christopher Blyth, from UWA Medical School and Centre Head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at The Kids Research Institute Australia, was elected for his contribution to informing international immunisation, infection prevention policy and practice.
Professor Blyth’s research and advocacy has driven changes to health and immunisation programs globally.
UWA Medical School’s Professor Asha Bowen OAM, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital and Head of Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at The Kids Research Institute Australia, was elected for her research to improve skin health for Aboriginal children and their families.
Professor Bowen’s new research methodologies for remote skin health research include being first in describing the burden of impetigo, a contagious bacterial infection, for remote-living Aboriginal children.
Professor Daniel Green, from UWA’s School of Human Sciences, was elected for his research quantifying the mechanisms and benefits of interventions that prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases. He invented and developed imaging technology, now used worldwide, which quantifies the impacts of exercise, diet and drugs on artery function and health.
Professor Green is also recognised for his contribution to establishing new allied health professions in clinical exercise physiology in Australia and the UK.
Professor Livia Hool, Wesfarmers, UWA-Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Chair in Cardiovascular Research, was elected for her leadership in the study of excitation and contraction of the heart.
Professor Hool’s work on a breakthrough preventative treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or enlarged heart syndrome, aims to improve the lives of patients with inherited heart disease.
The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences engages with the community, industry and government on pressing issues to improve health. Fellows are elected in recognition of their outstanding achievements and exceptional contributions to the sector. The Fellowship are acknowledged for their clinical, non-clinical, leadership, industry and research contributions.
Image above: Professor Asha Bowen, Professor Christopher Blyth, Professor Dawn Bessarab, Professor Daniel Green and Professor Livia Hool.