Two respiratory medicine specialists are among 28 new Fellows elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in recognition of their outstanding contributions to health and medical research.
Professor Guy Marks and Professor Peter Cistulli were admitted at the Academy’s sixth annual meeting on 14-16 October.
Professor Marks a respiratory physician and Scientia Professor at the university of NSW is recognised for his outstanding contributions to the fields of asthma, chronic lung disease, tuberculosis (TB) and air pollution which “have transformed the national and global responses to these health problems” according to the Academy.
As well as his research at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Professor Marks has made important contributions to training and policy development in lung health and TB control in Australia and internationally, it said.
Professor Peter Cistulli is is Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Head of the Discipline of Sleep Medicine at the University of Sydney. According to the Academy, he is recognised nationally and internationally as a clinical and research leader, making major contributions to the understanding of the causes and treatment of common sleep disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
“His pioneering work on novel therapies, and particularly oral appliances for the treatment of OSA, has changed clinical practice in the field and has contributed to the development of a new interdisciplinary field of Dental Sleep Medicine, bridging medicine and dentistry,” the Academy said.
Academy President Professor Ingrid Scheffer said the new Fellows elected to the Academy represent the nation’s “best brains in health and medicine.”
“We are delighted to welcome these 28 Fellows who will help us continue to deliver on this purpose and contribute to tackling our nation’s worst health crisis in a generation,” she said.
“The diverse talents and expertise of these Fellows reflects the incredible breadth and depth of Australia’s world class health and medical research. It is this solid base of expertise that has equipped the country to address the pandemic so successfully.”