Canberra, Friday, 4 December 1998

John Curtin School of Medical Research

New Director for ANU's medical research team

A world expert on the control of blood pressure and kidney function is to become Director of ANU's John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Professor Judith Whitworth, currently Australia's Chief Medical Officer and a Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales, will take up the post on 1 August 1999.

Announcing her appointment today, ANU's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deane Terrell, said Professor Whitworth was regarded as one of the most impressive leaders of Australian medical research.

"Not only will Professor Whitworth bring extensive knowledge of Australian medical research and its funding mechanisms to the John Curtin School, but we will have a first-class academic with a wealth of administrative experience directing this renowned research institution," Professor Terrell said.

"Professor Whitworth's outstanding skills in linking laboratory science and clinical investigation are particularly important for a School focussed on cutting-edge medical research.

"ANU is delighted that someone with such an excellent international reputation is able to take up this post."

Professor Whitworth has honours degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Melbourne, which awarded her the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1974, a PhD in 1978 and a Doctor of Science in 1992. Professor Whitworth is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP).

She has practised medicine and researched extensively in Australia and overseas. Professor Whitworth won the RACP Winthrop Travelling Fellowship in 1973, the International Society of Hypertension Smith Kline and French Award in 1984, the Howard Florey Medal in 1990 and the RACP Medal in 1994 and she has been a visiting researcher and lecturer at universities and hospitals in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. From 1994 ­ 1997 she chaired the Medical Research Committee of NHMRC, and is a Past-President of the Australian Society for Medical Research.

Professor Whitworth became Chief Medical Officer and Director of Human Quarantine, Department of Health and Family Services in 1997. She is Leader of the Australian Delegation to the World Health Assembly and Vice-President of the International Society of Hypertension. Professor Whitworth is Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She served recently as one of the three person Tax Consultative Committee which advised government on implementation of the GST.

For further information please contact:

Professor Judith Whitworth, (02) 6289 8408 (w)

Clarissa Thorpe, Media Liaison Officer, Marketing & Communications Division on

W: (02) 6249 5575, or Mobile: 0416 249 245

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