News Archive

Dear colleagues,

The University has contributed a third consecutive Chief Scientist to the State's department of Premier and Cabinet.

The role of Chief Scientist provides independent scientific advice to the State Government.  It also has a strong ambassadorial responsibility -  locally, nationally and internationally - for science, innovation and technology in Western Australian industry, education, research and government.

I am very pleased that Professor Peter Klinken has taken up the reins of this influential position, following in the footsteps of his UWA colleagues, Bruce Hobbs and Lyn Beazley .   Adjunct Professor Hobbs, a structural geologist with both UWA and the CSIRO, was appointed WA's first chief scientist in 2003.   His field of research was to gain an understanding of the mechanisms and processes that operate in the Earth's crust and mantle, a logical choice for a State built on the mining industry.

In 2006, another UWA scientist, Professor Beazley, an animal biologist, succeeded Professor Hobbs. From studying colour vision in Australian native animals, her career progressed into neuroscience and regeneration of the nervous system after trauma.  Professor Beazley served in the position for seven years (2006 to 2013) and oversaw tremendous growth in citizen science.  In 2009 she was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia, and more recently she has been recognised for her enthusiastic and passionate advocacy for science and science education with an induction into the WA Science Hall of Fame.

It is wonderful news for the State and for science that Professor Peter Klinken has now been appointed to the post of Chief Scientist.   Professor Klinken is highly regarded for advancing the understanding of genes involved in leukemia, cancer and anaemia, and his many research achievements include the discovery of a gene that suppresses the growth of tumours.  He played a key role in establishing the State's premier adult medical research institute, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (previously the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research) in 1998 and in directing the Institute until earlier this year.

I am delighted that this latest appointment continues UWA's presence in the Premier's office and that the university maintains an important role in the State Government's decisions and directions in science policy.