A number of respiratory physicians and researchers have been recognised as among the field’s “best and brightest”, after being made fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
The 2024 intake saw 31 new fellows elected to join the AAHMS, with three Indigenous health leaders, an immunisation expert, a drug discoverer and a pioneering genomicist also among those recognised.
Respiratory experts on the list included Professor Scott Bell, CEO of the Translational Research Institute in Queensland.
Professor Scott Bell
An internationally recognised respiratory physician and research leader, Professor Bell is best known for enhancing understanding of the mechanisms of infection acquisition and transmission in people with cystic fibrosis.
“He has >300 peer-reviewed publications including multiple clinical trials. His research has impacted on clinical care by influencing policy and practice internationally, particularly in the field of respiratory infection spread,” the AAHMS said in its citation.
“He has an outstanding record of mentoring early-career researchers and clinician-researchers across the multidisciplinary care team.”
“He has provided leadership by establishing research strategy for the largest health service nationally, and as CEO of the Translational Research Institute.”
Also recognised was Professor Sarath Ranganathan, another respiratory physician also renowned for his research in cystic fibrosis.
The fellowship citation noted Professor Ranganathan was an international expert in paediatric lung disease, whose research had led to a paradigm shift in the understanding and treatment of CF.
“He holds multiple significant roles: Head of the Melbourne Medical School (from Jan 2024) at The University of Melbourne, a respiratory physician at The Royal Children’s Hospital, and leads a world-class research program as Head of the Respiratory Diseases Research Group at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute,” the academy said.
“As a clinician researcher he has attracted >$60M in research funding, published >300 papers, and his research has shaped changes in clinical practice globally.”
Academy president Professor Louise Baur said new fellows were elected by their peers through a competitive process, which recognised their significant and continuing contributions to health and medical sciences.
“Our new fellows have a truly exceptional body of work, with each of them considered international leaders in their respective fields,” she said.
“Our fellowship represents the breadth and diversity of Australia’s health and medical expertise, allowing us to draw on independent, expert and evidence-based advice to drive change and improve health for all.”
“I’m deeply pleased to welcome three First Nations fellows this year, Professors Dawn Bessarab, Raymond Lovett and James Ward. They have made incredible contributions to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to the broader health and medical sciences.”
“First Nations people were the nation’s first scientists, and there is so much that can be learned from their wealth of knowledge and experience. This year we also welcome six fellows who work in allied health, including leaders in clinical exercise physiology, social work, exercise oncology, physiotherapy and fall prevention, preoperative exercise and rehabilitation, and mental health.”
“I’m also pleased to welcome two fellows from industry, drug discoverer Dr Christopher Burns and clinical pharmacologist Adjunct Professor Craig Rayner.”