Professor Ian van Driel new Head of School

Today we welcome Professor van Driel as the interim Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Last month Professor Fabienne Mackay, inaugural Head of School, advised that she was taking up a new position as Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute from May.

Professor Ian van Driel was appointed Interim Head of School earlier this month and yesterday it was decided to bring forward the handover of leadership to ensure continuity of planning in relation to the COVID-19 response.

Professor van Driel acknowledges his appointment comes during a challenging time for the School –and University at large – and he is committed to guiding students, academics and researchers through these unprecedented times.

“I am honoured to take up this position and have been working closely with the School executive and department heads as we navigate this unchartered territory,” he says.

“I would like to congratulate Fabienne on her success over the past five years. The School has seen a rapid growth in student enrolments, sustained performance in our world-class research and we are considered one of the global leaders in teaching and research excellence in biomedical sciences.”

Professor Mackay thanks the student cohort, staff and wider community of Melbourne Biomedical Precinct for supporting her and the School since its inception in 2015.

“We have achieved many great things together during the past five years, and now – more than ever – our role in medical research, biomedicine, science and health is paramount in helping the community through this pandemic,” she says.

Professor Shitij Kapur Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, adds: “I would once again like to thank Professor Mackay for her service and remarkable success as Founding Head of the School and wish her all the very best in her next role as Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane”.

Professor Mackay will be the first female director of Institute in its 75-year history.