The Centre for Eye Research (CERA)’s deputy director and head of ophthalmic neuroscience, Professor Peter van Wijngaarden, has been appointed executive director of The Florey, the largest brain research centre in the Southern Hemisphere.
Announcing the appointment on 1 July 2024, The Florey board chair, Mr Martin Adams, said Prof van Wijngaarden was an outstanding leader and an experienced clinician researcher who will take The Florey’s work to the world stage.
“The Florey is home to remarkably talented people committed to advancing neuroscience and mental health research,” he said. “Peter is exceptionally well-placed to take The Florey’s impact to the next level.”
Prof van Wijngaarden will begin his new role leading The Florey on 1 August 2024.
He will continue his association with CERA as an honorary researcher.
His ophthalmic neuroscience team, which is developing novel hyperspectral imaging techniques to detect diseases of the eye and brain, will continue to be based at CERA.
The key program will be led by Dr Xavier Hadoux who will continue the research funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, philanthropic trusts and foundations and generous individual donors.
Prof van Wijngaarden was honoured to lead The Florey and excited to be working with scientists leading the world in “fundamental discoveries in neuroscience and improving diagnostics and treatments for an impressive range of mental health and brain-related conditions”.
“The Florey has an incredible reputation and I look forward to building on that impressive legacy,” he said.
CERA chair Ms Olivia Hilton and managing director Professor Keith Martin congratulated Prof van Wijngaarden.
Prof Martin said the appointment highlighted the critical links between eye and brain research.
“Throughout his research career, Peter has been a strong advocate of the eye’s role as a window to the brain and the potential to gain greater insights into brain health through collaborations between ophthalmology and neuroscience,” he said.
“The whole CERA community congratulates Peter on his new appointment and thanks him for his contribution to ophthalmic research and for the difference he has made to the eye health of hundreds of thousands of Australians.”
Hilton added: “The appointment recognises Peter’s outstanding leadership across ophthalmology, medical research and public health.
“His boundless energy, enthusiasm and ability to bring people together have left an immeasurable impact on CERA and the eye health of the Australian community – from his supervision of PhD students and mentorship of early and mid-career researchers, to his work as co-investigator on the first National Eye Health Survey and role as a co-founder of the national diabetes eye screening program KeepSight.
“In this time at CERA, Peter has been a champion of innovation and translational research and has built strong relationships with our supporter community.”
More reading
New clinical trial centre to be embedded in Centre for Eye Research Australia
Eye scan can spot Alzheimer’s years before memory wanes
CERA and WHO develop vision screening app
