Researcher named chair of Australian Academy of Science committee
Professor Moira O’Bryan has been named chair of the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committee for Cellular and Developmental Biology. The committee is one of 22 at Australian Academy of Science (AAS), which are often the first port of call when the AAS advises the government on scientific matters or responds to emerging scientific crises.
Professor O’Bryan, head of the Development and Stem Cells program at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, said she was delighted at being offered the position of chair. “This is an opportunity to work with some of Australia's most gifted and motivated scientists,” Professor O’Bryan said.
The National Committee for Cellular and Developmental Biology aims to promote cell and developmental biology research broadly, spanning plant and animal biology, as well as human health. Testament to the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute’s internationally recognised capabilities in developmental biology, fellow institute researcher Dr Brent Neumann is also a member of this select committee.
“The role of the committee is essentially one of providing balanced and insightful advice, and communicating it effectively,” Professor O’Bryan said. “In a recent example, the committee gave advice on stem cell therapies, specifically about the lack of appropriate regulation surrounding them.”
Professor O’Bryan said the committee also worked to highlight the value of fundamental scientific research and discovery. “While it’s relatively easy for the person on the street – and for that matter a politician – to appreciate the importance of a clinical trial, for example, the importance of basic cell biology and biochemical studies that precede such trials may not be so obvious,” she said.
“Part of the role of the national committees is to remind people that research should be a discovery to translation pipeline – if you don't prime the front of the pipeline, success will be short lived.”