Burnet Institute Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb

Burnet Institute Director and CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb has been appointed President-Elect of the Australian Association of Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), the peak body that represents Australia’s independent medical research institutes.

The official announcement was made at the AAMRI Annual General Meeting held in Canberra yesterday.

The appointment of Professor Crabb comes at a critical time for medical research in Australia with the review of medical research funding the number one issue impacting on independent medical research institutes.

A review committee headed by Australian of the Year, Mr Simon McKeon was announced following the Federal budget in May 2011 by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing the Hon Mark Butler MP and will require significant input from AAMRI as it represents its member constituents’ interests.

Professor Crabb said he was honoured to be elected President and while he doesn’t take up his new position until late 2012, will be immediately active in AAMRI affairs moving on the Board and supporting current President, Professor Julie Campbell.

“I see this appointment as an opportunity to ensure that government, business and the public are aware of the contributions that medical research makes to improving human health, particularly through the activities of medical research institutes and to help ensure funding for medical research continues to be strongly advocated for, especially in line with the review,” he said.

AAMRI represents 41 medical research institutes across Australian and has among its key goals the effective representation of medical research interests to government, industry and the public.