Scientific Advisory Committee
The VNI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is comprised of Victorian and Australian experts in neurotrauma and the broader neurosciences. The SAC acts as a bridge between the VNI and the scientific community. The SAC also provides the VNI with access to local, national and international expertise in neurotrauma.
The SAC is a key group involved in establishing the strategic direction and vision for the VNI, particularly in the promotion of a broad spectrum of research across neurotrauma. Members of the SAC have substantial research track records within their area of expertise, and represent a broad spectrum of the Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury research community.
Current members
Professor Richard Smallwood (Chair)
Professor Richard Smallwood is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, and is Acting President of the Australian Medical Council. He has been the Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council, President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Chair of the National Blood Authority and Chief Medical Officer for Australia. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1997 for services to medicine.
Professor Ian Cameron
Professor Ian Cameron is a Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Sydney. His research interests are in injury related disability, particularly rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and musculoskeletal injury. He is active in the Cochrane Collaboration and is the author of a number of systematic reviews and evidence based clinical practice guidelines.
Professor Mary Galea
Professor Mary Galea is Foundation Professor of Clinical Physiotherapy and Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre at the University of Melbourne and Austin Health. She is Senior Principal Research Fellow in the Centre for Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, and the Howard Florey Institute. Her clinical and research interests are in promoting recovery of movement following nervous system injury.
Professor Trevor Kilpatrick
Professor Trevor Kilpatrick is a Professor of Neurology and Director of the University of Melbourne Centre for Neuroscience, as well as a Senior Principal Research Fellow at the Howard Florey Institute. He is a Neurologist and Head of the Multiple Sclerosis Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. His research interests include the neurobiology of multiple sclerosis and neural precursor cell biology.
Associate Professor James Middleton
Associate Professor James Middleton is Director of the Statewide Spinal Cord Injury Service in NSW and the Senior Medical Specialist for the NSW Spinal Outreach Service. He is also President of the Youthsafe Program and sits on the Advisory Council for the NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Sydney.
Professor Jennie Ponsford
Professor Jennie Ponsford is a Professor of Neuropsychology at Monash University, Director of the Monash- Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre at Epworth Hospital and Co-Director (Rehabilitation) of the National Trauma Research Institute. She has spent 25 years focusing on the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with brain injury and serves on the editorial board of five international journals.
Professor Peter Reilly
Professor Peter Reilly is a Clinical Professor in Neurosurgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of Adelaide. He is active in research with the Head Injury Research Group at the University of Adelaide. Peter has published particularly in the field of neurotrauma, including co-editor and co-author of several neurosurgical texts. Peter was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2002 for contributions to neurotrauma research and treatment and neurosurgical education.
