Evaluation Committee
The Evaluation Committee (EC) formulates recommendations for funding to the VNI Board of Directors. These recommendations are based on review of submitted applications and the content of expert scientific reviews of those applications.
The EC is composed of individuals with strong scientific, clinical and health policy knowledge and experience. They provide a broad level of scientific review and evaluation of funding applications submitted to VNI. This evaluation is undertaken relative to the VNI objectives and grant specific criteria. The EC receive expert scientific reviews of funding applications to assist the formulation of their recommendations to the VNI Board of Directors.
The Current EC members have diverse backgrounds, including health policy and disability services, epidemiology and community medicine, biomedical and neuroscience research.
Current Members
Ms Melinda Rockell (Chair)
Melinda Rockell has tertiary qualifications in physiology and pharmacology. She has undertaken research in the areas of foetal development and cardiovascular medicine at the Perinatal Research Centre, Howard Florey Institute and the University of Melbourne. Previously, Melinda served as Chair of the Evaluation Committee of the Victorian Trauma Foundation. Melinda is currently the Executive Officer of the VNI.
Mr Alan Blackwood
Mr Alan Blackwood has 15 years experience in advocacy and policy in health and disability and currently manages the Public Policy Program at Multiple Sclerosis Australia. He is a board member of the Chronic Illness Alliance and the Victorian Association of Children with a Disability. He is a strong supporter of consumer and family participation in the policy cycle.
Professor Robert Burton
Professor Robert Burton is a part-time Professor in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. He holds Honorary Professorial Surgical positions at Melbourne and Monash Universities, as well as Tianjin University, China. He has an international reputation in cancer immunology and epidemiology research.
Dr Alex Collie
Dr Alex Collie is a clinical neuroscientist who completed his training in Melbourne. He holds a PhD in psychology and is widely published. He was a founding scientist with Melbourne-based biotechnology company CogState where he led the development of the company’s cognitive tests for mild traumatic brain injury. Alex was the Executive Director of the VNI from December 2006 - March 2009. He is currently the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research at Monash University.
Professor Andrew Lawrence
Professor Andrew Lawrence is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow at the Howard Florey Institute, where he runs the addiction neuroscience laboratory. In addition to his research, Professor Lawrence was recently elected a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society. He is currently Senior Editor of the British Journal of Pharmacology and sits on the editorial boards of two additional international journals.
Professor Roderick McClure
Professor Rod McClure has medical qualifications, clinical experience in emergency medicine, a PhD in injury epidemiology and specialist training in public health medicine. Professor McClure established the Queensland Trauma Registry and the Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine. He is currently the Director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre.
Professor Sandra Rees
Professor Sandra Rees leads prominent Developmental brain research in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Melbourne. Her research group is investigating the causes and prevention of foetal brain injury. In this field, she has made internationally acknowledged contributions.
