24 October 2024
QIMR Berghofer researcher Professor Stuart MacGregor has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in honour of his outstanding contribution to science, including his work mapping hundreds of genes for diseases ranging from skin cancer to eye disease.
His recent work has led to the development and commercialisation of a genetic test for glaucoma, serving as a model for future genetics-based prediction of risk across a wide range of complex human diseases.
Professor MacGregor said he was delighted and honoured to be elected as a Fellow .
Professor Stuart MacGregor, QIMR Berghofer
"Some of my work has been very academic, but what has been most exciting in recent years has been the opportunity to translate these findings and in doing so, improve human health," he said.
"Developing a simple saliva test for glaucoma, for example, will help speed up the diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating disease. With enthusiastic community support we are now commencing clinical trials to assess the impact the saliva test may have in preventing blindness from glaucoma.
"I'm passionate about making our glaucoma test available to consumers and recently have led efforts to translate our academic discoveries into commercially available genetic tests," Professor MacGregor said.
AAHMS President Professor Louise Baur said new Fellows were elected by their peers through a competitive process which recognised their significant and continuing contributions to health and medical sciences.
"Our new Fellows have a truly exceptional body of work, with each of them considered international leaders in their respective fields," she said.
"Our Fellowship represents the breadth and diversity of Australia's health and medical expertise, allowing us to draw on independent, expert and evidence-based advice to drive change and improve health for all."
Professor Stuart MacGregor began his association with QIMR Berghofer in 2005. He is now Senior Group Leader and Principal Research Fellow at QIMR Berghofer's Statistical Genetics Lab.
QIMR Berghofer Director and CEO Professor Fabienne Mackay said Professor MacGregor's achievements were remarkable.
"We recognise Stuart's exceptional talent and dedication, but also the promise his work holds for the future," she said.
"Stuart's innovative approach to genetic research not only sets new standards in the field, but also inspires others around him to push the boundaries of what is possible."
The AAHMS welcomed new Fellows in a ceremony at its Annual Meeting in Adelaide on Thursday 24 October 2024.
