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Three UWA academics undertaking research in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences have been admitted as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).

Congratulations to Professor Carol Bower, Professor Karen Simmer and Professor Stephen Zubrick who were inducted at the Academy’s third Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Adelaide earlier this month. They were recognised for their outstanding leadership and contributions to health and medical science in Australia.

Senior Principal Research Fellow at the Telethon Kids Institute, Professor Bower is highly regarded for her leadership in birth defects research, providing population-based evidence for the prevention, diagnosis, management and development of policy and practice. She is a passionate advocate for the primary prevention of birth defects, monitoring and evaluation of preventive, screening and treatment interventions.

Professor Karen Simmer is the Professor of Newborn Medicine at UWA, Director of the Neonatal ICUs in Perth and Co-Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for preterm infants. Professor Simmer is well known for establishing the first Human Milk Bank in Australia. She has an international reputation in the effects of early nutrition and infection on child development and was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her commitment to paediatrics.

Professor Stephen Zubrick from the Graduate School of Education at UWA is undertaking interdisciplinary research into child health. He is a leading developmental scientist who pioneered the first Australian population studies of the prevalence and burden of mental disorders in Australian children and adolescents. His work has guided policies and services for children across Australia and placed Australian child and adolescent mental health into a global perspective.

Professor Wendy Erber, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and medical Sciences congratulated the trio on their induction.

“This is a wonderful achievement and national recognition of three outstanding researchers in health and medical sciences.”

“The calibre of staff and researchers within the Faculty is testament to the paramount contributions we are making to health and medical advancements in our communities.”

The new Fellows from around Australia represented disciplines across the health and medical sciences, including basic and clinical science, public health and health services, physicians, surgeons and allied health practitioners. Their contributions were to a diverse range of clinical and research areas, including chronic and infectious diseases, mental health, neuroscience, medical physiology and cancer research.

Media references

Professor Wendy Erber (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) (+61) 8 6457 2325