HealthInfoNet Director Professor Bep Uink joins new Research Expert Committee.
The Research Expert Committee, initiated by the Western Australian Cook Government, is set to play a pivotal role in driving the future of medical research and innovation within the state, as part of a broader initiative to ensure WA maintains its leadership in health and medical research.
Professor Uink's significant expertise and extensive background in Aboriginal health research and advocacy will be instrumental to the committee's ability to help Western Australia stay at the forefront of global health advancements.
Professor Uink made history recently as the first Aboriginal and the first woman to lead the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, an organisation that has been integral in providing accessible, evidence-based health information for over 27 years.
A Noongar woman from Perth with a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) and PhD, she has been a strong and long-term advocate for equitable health solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Professor Uink expressed that she was proud to join a prestigious cohort of committee members, including other leaders from renowned WA institutions such as Murdoch University, the Lions Eye Institute and Perth Children's Hospital.
"This committee represents an opportunity for the WA health and research innovation agenda to be guided by a diverse range of expertise and views. This places WA at the forefront of health research and innovation," she said.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson introduced this eight-member committee, explaining that their remit includes offering strategic advice to the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Advisory Council and the Department of Health.
The expert medical research committee will also work in alignment with the FHRI Fund Advisory Council, which includes esteemed members like Professor Fiona Wood, enhancing the collaborative efforts across these advisory bodies and ultimately working to secure impactful and sustainable health outcomes for all Western Australians.
Minister Dawson expressed his excitement for the committee’s formation, highlighting that its members' "wealth of knowledge and expertise" would drive WA's medical research sector forward, another important step in the Cook Government's plan to make Western Australia an international hub for medical research and innovation.
With an additional $250 million available for health research over the next four years, the committee’s guidance will ensure that Western Australia continues to cultivate a research environment that supports innovation and addresses the unique health needs of its diverse communities.
"I congratulate the new committee members on their appointment and I am excited about the future priorities and possibilities that this team will unlock as we continue to build our health and medical research ecosystem in Western Australia," said Minister Dawson.
"The chosen committee members are outstanding individuals in their respective fields with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the area of health and medical research.
"WA is already a pillar within the health research and innovation sectors and this new committee will ensure we continue on this dynamic pathway."
Professor Dan McAullay, Dean of ECU's Kurongkurl Katitjin Centre for Indigenous Education and Research, and Director, Aboriginal Research, shared his enthusiasm for Professor Uink's appointment to the committee, recognising her commitment to advancing Aboriginal health and her impact as a leader.
"Professor Uink's dedication to improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing has made her a respected voice in the field, so her experience and passion will undoubtedly further the impactful work of HealthInfoNet and contribute significantly to the Cook Government’s health research initiatives," he said.
"ECU is proud to see Professor Uink contribute her expertise to this important state initiative, reinforcing her lifelong commitment to health research, advocacy and community wellbeing. Her appointment is a testament to her dedication and the profound impact she has had on Indigenous health, not only in WA but also nationally."
HealthInfoNet's extensive resources support health professionals and policymakers who work to close the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. By making research readily available in practical formats, HealthInfoNet has played a critical role in translating knowledge into actionable outcomes for Aboriginal health.
WA Government Media Statement: New expert research committee to boost research outcomes in WA
