Professor Michelle Haber AM, Executive Director of Children’s Cancer Institute, has been elected to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science.
The Academy is Australia’s most prestigious organisation of individuals elected for their outstanding contributions to science and research, with only about 20 new fellows added each year nationally across all sciences. Since its inception in 1954, fewer than 900 Fellows have been elected to the Academy.
The fellowship is outstanding recognition of the contribution Michelle has made towards improving outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer and her leadership of the Institute that sees it positioned today as a world-leader in childhood cancer research.
Michelle was the inaugural post-doctoral scientist at Children’s Cancer Institute when the lab doors opened in 1984. She is world-renowned for advancing the understanding of childhood cancers, neuroblastoma and leukaemia, leading to new clinical approaches that have improved survival and quality of life.
Michelle has driven the establishment and development of Zero Childhood Cancer (ZERO), Australia’s first national child cancer precision medicine program, which is improving outcomes for children with a range of high-risk cancers and will expand to be available to all children with cancer by the end of 2023.
Recently, Michelle was one of the instigators driving the vision for the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the Institute’s new home, which is set to open in 2025. The Centre will transform the future for children with cancer by integrating world-class research and clinical care under one roof.
The Children’s Cancer Institute are immensely proud of this recognition for Michelle, as Michelle says, ”It is an honour to be elected by my peers and to stand alongside some of the nation’s most distinguished scientists.”
“This is tremendous recognition of the progress the Institute has made towards its vision of curing all children of cancer. What motivates me is seeing our science make a difference to children and knowing we are giving hope and changing outcomes for these kids.” AMP
