Welcome
This edition of Chiron shines a light on the inspiring ways our students, staff and alumni of the Melbourne Medical School are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of our communities by collectively meeting the challenges of a changing world as part of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences’ Advancing Health 2030 strategy.
With a new Vice Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston AO, who commenced her role at the University of Melbourne in February 2025, I am excited that the Melbourne Medical School can contribute in important ways to the transformational change we need to see to prepare our students and society for the future.
Students are at the heart of everything we do and I invite you to learn about how we are embedding teamwork and compassion into their medical training.
In these pages you will find stories of game-changing AI diagnostic tools for safer pregnancy, fresh approaches to asthma treatment in regional Australia, and how personalised genomic approaches are leading to better ways to manage (and even cure) chronic diseases, from cancer to epilepsy.
While these stories span diverse fields, at their heart is a commitment to advancing care that is genuinely transformative, inclusive and deeply collaborative.
This year, my colleagues and I have also contributed our own thought pieces to share our perspective on areas of need – and how we can work together to meet them head-on.
As you read these feature stories and thought-provoking articles, I invite you to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Melbourne Medical School community and the global impact we are creating together. As always, I warmly welcome your feedback on how we can stay better connected with you.
Thank you,
Professor Sarath Ranganathan
Head, Melbourne Medical School
Picture: Peter Casamento/University of Melbourne.
Professor Emma Johnston AO appointed new Vice-Chancellor
University of Melbourne Chancellor, Jane Hansen AO, announced the appointment of Professor Emma Johnston AO as the 21st Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne on 30 September 2024.
Professor Emma Johnston AO, a University of Melbourne alum, is the first woman to be appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne and commenced her role in February 2025.
“Professor Johnston is one of Australia’s preeminent University leaders, has a keen understanding of the issues facing the sector, a profound awareness of the Australian political context and is a strong advocate and a cogent voice for higher education. She has a proven track record of leadership excellence and transformational change. Her strategic thinking and inclusive approach will support the University of Melbourne to continue to thrive,” Ms Jane Hansen AO said.
Professor Johnston was formerly Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney, and prior to that she spent over 20 years at the University of New South Wales, where she rose to the positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Dean of Science.
Professor Johnston has a prominent research profile, specialising in the ecological impacts of human activities in marine ecosystems. She is a chief author of the current State of Environment Report for Australia and has authored 185 peer-reviewed journal articles and supervised more than 30 Higher Degree students.
In 2022, Professor Johnston was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her distinguished service to higher education, particularly to marine ecology, ecotoxicology and research institutes.
Professor Johnston said she was honoured to be chosen to lead Australia’s highest-ranked university where she has a long affiliation.
I am a proud alum of the University of Melbourne, having obtained my Bachelor of Science and my Doctorate here. I served on the University Council and Academic Board as President of the Student Union in 1995, and I received an Honorary Doctor of Science in 2023. Professor Emma Johnston AO