A new Consumer Advisory Group has been appointed to help shape the direction of research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia and Cerulea Clinical Trials.
The group will bring the voices of consumers-people living with eye conditions and their families-into the heart of medical research and strategic planning.
The Group's Chair, CERA Board Director Simon Brewin said the new initiative ensures that consumer insights directly shape research priorities, development of new treatments for eye disease and the overall direction of CERA and its fully owned clinical trials subsidiary Cerulea Clinical Trials.
"This is a turning point for CERA. Involving consumers directly in our research isn't just the right thing to do-it's going to make our work more impactful,'' he said.
"These are the voices that matter most, and we're making sure they guide our research."
The group includes independent consumers - Jane Cherry, Dr Colleen Lewis, Dr Ronelle Hutchinson and Daniel Talko –
along with advocates from organisations like Vision Australia, CERA researchers, and Cerulea Clinical Trials representatives.
The initiative is led by CERA's Consumer Involvement and Advocacy Lead Kelly Schulz.
"The strength of this group lies in the diversity of perspectives and lived experiences each member brings,'' she said. "This advisory group marks the starting point for CERA's broader Consumer Program, laying the foundation for meaningful, long-term involvement of consumers in our research and strategy."
The group will provide advice on various aspects of CERA and Cerulea's work, from early research design and clinical trial experience to the rollout of results. This collaboration will help ensure that CERA's research is both practical and responsive to the needs of the community.
CERA Managing Director Professor Keith Martin said involving consumers directly in research was a powerful step forward.
"Their insights will help ensure our work has real-world impact, benefiting those who need it most,'' he said. "The launch of the Consumer Advisory Group marks an important step forward for CERA as it continues to advance eye research. By embedding consumer perspectives, CERA is strengthening its commitment to more inclusive, community-driven research-working alongside other organisations that share this goal."
