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The University of Western Australia's leading role in pathology has been strengthened with the appointment of Dr Wendy Erber as Winthrop Professor, Chair and Head of the School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Professor Erber was recruited from Cambridge where she was the Director of Haematology and Head of the East of England Haemato-Oncology Diagnostic Service, Addenbrooke's Hospital and Associate Lecturer, University of Cambridge.

Professor Erber has been working in diagnostic haematology for over 25 years.  Her specific areas of interest and expertise are cellular haematology, and particularly the integrated approach to the diagnosis and assessment of haematological malignancies.

Formed in 2008, UWA's School of Pathology and Laboratory medicine has major research facilities at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and Royal Perth Hospital sites. Researchers from the School collaborate with national and international teams from USA, Europe, India, South Africa and throughout South East Asia.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said Dr Erber's expertise would build the School's reputation as operating at the leading edge of pathology and laboratory medicine in Australia.

"Dr Erber's experience and expertise will ensure our University continues to produce research of international excellence that has a significant impact on the lives of many people."

An enthusiastic teacher, Professor Erber served as Chairman of the Board of Education of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.  She has over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, edited haematology texts and contributed to a number of books.

Sydney-born Professor Erber obtained her medical degree from the University of Sydney.  In 1982 she went to the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and undertook research on diagnostic applications of monoclonal antibodies in haematological malignancies under the supervision of the late Professor David Mason, a renowned researcher into the diagnosis of lymphomas and leukemias.

Professor Erber subsequently returned to Sydney and trained in haematology at Royal North Shore Hospital under the supervision of leading Australian haematology and transfusion researcher Professor James Isbister. She moved to Perth in 1990 to take a Consultant Haematologist post at Royal Perth Hospital and in 1997 was appointed Clinical Director of Haematology for the Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research (PathCentre).

Professor Erber takes up her role this week.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716