Led by the CEO, our leadership and governance ensure NHMRC operates effectively and efficiently at all levels. This allows us to remain focused on the health care areas that matter most to Australia. Our leadership team has considerable experience in research strategy and programs, evidence-based medicine, research policy and translation, and corporate operations. We use their collective skills to develop strategic initiatives to improve Australian health and support health research.
NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh
Professor Wesselingh took up the position of the CEO at NHMRC in August 2023.
Professor Wesselingh is an infectious diseases physician and researcher in HIV, vaccine development and the impact of the microbiome on human health. He undertook his undergraduate and doctoral training at Flinders University/Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia and his post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins in the United States.
Until July 2023, Professor Wesselingh was the inaugural Executive Director of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Research Director of Health Translation SA. He was also a member of NHMRC Council, Chair of Research Committee, and the President of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).
Professor Wesselingh brings a wealth of medical experience, clinical leadership as well as national and international success. Between 2007 and 2011, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University. From 2002 to 2007, he was Director of the Burnet Institute an independent medical research institute specialising in infectious diseases, immunology and global health.
Throughout his career, Professor Wesselingh has consistently worked towards the integration of high-quality medical research with health-care delivery, leading to improved health outcomes for Australia and the poorly resourced countries of the region.
General Manager
- Ms Prue Torrance
Leadership team
- Dr Nicholas Johnson: Executive Director, Research Partnerships
- Dr Julie Glover: Executive Director, Research Foundations
- Mr Alan Singh: Executive Director, Research Quality and Advice
- Mr Tony Krizan FCPA: Corporate Operations and Information
