The Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH) welcomes Professor Keith Martin, Managing Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), to the Board as of 7 September.
Professor Martin succeeds Professor Doug Hilton AO, who is stepping down after five years of service as he moves into a new role leading CSIRO.
“Melbourne is an incredible hub for medical research, and there are so many opportunities for us to bring innovations developed here to the clinic,” says Professor Martin.
“MACH plays an instrumental role in bringing clinicians, researchers and academics together, and I’m looking forward to helping to ensure discoveries made by researchers here make their way through to patients as soon as possible.”
Since 2019, Professor Martin has been Managing Director of CERA, Ringland Anderson Professor and Head of Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne and a Senior Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in the Glaucoma Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
Before coming to Melbourne, he was Professor and Head of Ophthalmology and Deputy Director of the Centre for Brain Repair at the University of Cambridge.
Professor Martin’s research focusses on new ways to treat glaucoma, including potential gene therapies to reduce blindness and ultimately restore vision in the condition.
As a member of the Board, he will represent MACH’s medical research institute members alongside Professor Kathryn North AC, Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Chair of the MACH Board, Professor Jane Gunn AO, says she is delighted with Professor Martin’s appointment.
“Professor Martin’s leadership in medical research and academia as a clinician scientist will bring an important perspective to the Board.”
“I would also like to thank Professor Hilton for his years of service to the Board and wish him all the best in his next role as Chief Executive of the CSIRO after his 14 years leading WEHI.”