Leading Obstetrics Researcher To Head University Of Queensland's Clinical Research Hub, Australia

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 31 Jan 2010 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Leading international researcher Professor Murray Mitchell has been appointed the new head of The University of Queensland's Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR).

The Professor of Pharmacology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology is currently the Deputy Director of the Liggins' Institute in Auckland.

He will take up the position of UQCCR Director on Monday, February, 1, 2010.

Professor Mitchell has received worldwide recognition for his research on the causes and consequences of preterm birth and the long-term health effects of developmental exposure to environmental chemicals.

His work focuses on how environmental factors can modify the actions of key genes in the fetus and placenta to influence not only the course of a pregnancy but the baby's health as an adult.

Following a Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, Professor Mitchell has held senior clinical research appointments on three continents, attracted grant funding of over $50 million(AUD) and supervised numerous postgraduate students.

His work has attracted prestigious awards including the James Cook Research Fellowship from The Royal Society of New Zealand for sustained research excellence, and the President's Achievement Award from the Society for Gynaecological Investigation.

He has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals such as Science, Nature, Lancet, BMJ (British Medical Journal) and PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the University was delighted to have attracted an international researcher of such high calibre to lead the UQCCR.

"Professor Mitchell will build on UQCCR's early successes under the directorship of Professor Nick Fisk," Professor Greenfield said.

"He will lead and inspire the UQCCR's outstanding researchers and clinicians, who collaborate with peers across UQ and in other leading Australian and international institutions."

Professor Mitchell said that he was "excited by the opportunities to achieve international preeminence for the Centre and build on the wonderful infrastructure and clinical research ethos developed by UQ".

Professor Mitchell succeeds Professor Fisk, who is now the Executive Dean of the UQ Faculty of Health Sciences.

The UQCCR, a seven-storey purpose-built facility opened in 2008, was funded by a partnership between the Queensland Government and major US philanthropic organisation Atlantic Philanthropies.

The facility, at UQ's Herston Campus next to the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, can house around 300 researchers focused on patient-orientated research, conducted in response to questions that arise "at the bedside".

Source
University of Queensland

• Additional
• References
• Citations