New President Elect: Professor Jonathan Carapetis to take AAMRI into next chapter

The Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) is delighted to announce their next President Elect, a leading paediatrician and infectious diseases specialist, Professor Jonathan Carapetis. Professor Carapetis is the Director of the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, and AAMRI’s first President based in Western Australia.

Professor Carapetis will be taking over the reins later this year from Professor Vlado Perkovic, who has been appointed Dean of Medicine at the UNSW Sydney. Professor Perkovic, a passionate advocate for evidence led health and wellbeing, has been instrumental in AAMRI’s campaign to ensure the MRFF is fully funded by 2020-21.

“It has been fantastic working with AAMRI, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. I’m looking forward to seeing where Jonathan will take things next, he’s an innovative thinker who has led multiple Institutes, which is a great for AAMRI,” said Professor Perkovic.

Professor Carapetis is an experienced Medical Research Institute Director and recognised leading mind in the Australian health field – with particular expertise in the health of Indigenous children.

“I’ve enjoyed playing an active role in AAMRI’s work during my time as Director of the Telethon Kids Institute, and I’m excited to take on the President role,” said Professor Carapetis.

“It’s a key time for the medical research institute sector post-election. We saw some really positive election commitments and I’m looking forward to working with the government to achieve the research-led healthcare system Australia deserves.”

Professor Carapetis said being part of a sector which we know delivers almost $4 in economic and health benefits for every $1 invested puts Australia in a great place.

“Medical research in Australia has led to life-changing discoveries including the artificial heart valve, in vitro fertilisation, understanding the role of antibodies in the immune system, and the discovery that a bacteria leads to gastritis and peptic ulcers. I am looking forward to exploring how our Institutes can collaborate even more and share learnings, particularly about new ways to translate our groundbreaking discoveries into real health benefits.”

Professor Carapetis has made an international contribution and commitment to the reduction of rheumatic heart disease. He is a consultant paediatrician at Perth Children’s Hospital and is a Professor at the University of Western Australia, Head of the Telethon Kids Institute Strep A and Rheumatic Heart Disease Team, and Co-director of REACH (Rheumatic heart disease. Evidence. Advocacy. Communication. Hope).