Rare honour given to Professor William Charman

17 November 2011

Potentially life-saving malaria research and the establishment of Australia's pre-eminent pharmaceutical science institution have earned Professor William Charman one of Monash University's highest honours.

Professor Charman was this week appointed as a Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor, and became just the eighth academic to have been awarded the prestigious title.

The Professorship is given to academics of distinction who have made an outstanding contribution to their discipline and the University.

The appointment recognises Professor Charman's leadership in the field of pharmaceutical science, and his role in the strategic development of both the Monash Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), since his appointment as Dean in 2007.

MIPS was established in 2008 and comprises the largest and most experienced group of pharmaceutical scientists in Australia.

Professor Charman has an impressive record of research achievements in the fields of drug discovery and development. He has published more than 350 scientific papers and communications and has been honoured by some of the world's leading scientific bodies, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society  of Great Britain, the Australasian Pharmaceutical Sciences Association, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, and the Controlled Release Society.

He has been a key member of the project teams that have received the coveted Drug Discovery Project of the Year Award from the Medicines for Malaria Venture (Geneva, Switzerland) in 2001, 2006, 2007 and 2010.

"I am honoured to have been recognised by the University community, and I view this appointment as reflecting the incredible innovation and team work of the wonderful colleagues I have been fortunate to work with during my career at Monash," Professor Charman said.

"The continuing development of the faculty and MIPS will be the highlights of my career. I am privileged to have the chance to work with really creative, committed and intelligent people and it is truly exciting to plan and implement our journey ahead."