Twelve Menzies School of Health Researchers have been ranked amongst the world’s top scientists by a prestigious Stanford University study.
The annual list, known as the World's Top 2% of Scientists, ranks researchers as per their citations across a range of disciplines.
The Menzies scientists who made it on to the significant list work across a range of areas including tropical medicine, chronic disease and child health.
They are Professor Bart Currie, Professor Anne Chang, Professor Ric Price, Professor Nick Anstey, Professor John Wakerman, Professor Alan Cass, Professor Peter Morris, Professor Joan Cunningham, Dr Zhiqiang Wang, Professor Josh Davis, Professor Anna Ralph and Associate Professor Kamala Ley-Thriemer.
Menzies Director, Professor Alan Cass AO, said the inclusion of the institution’s researchers shows the high calibre of work being produced by staff.
“This is a highly prestigious list and the inclusion of scientists from Menzies School of Health Research recognises the importance and impact of the work we are doing.”
Professor Cass, a clinician-researcher and kidney specialist who has led national and international clinical trials, was included on the top 2 per cent list.
“I have a key interest in the prevention and management of chronic disease and Indigenous health,” he said.
Professor Cass’s research has included analysing health outcomes and costs, patient experiences and community perspectives regarding models of health care delivery in urban, rural and remote areas and improving cross-cultural health communication. His work also focuses on addressing inequity in access to kidney care for First Nations Australians.
Professor Bart Currie, who topped the list of scientists from Menzies and Charles Darwin University (CDU), leads the Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases team within the Global and Tropical Health Division.
“My long-term and continuing aim is to co-ordinate links between clinicians, public health colleagues and other service providers, laboratory scientists and the public to tackle health issues that affect the community,” he said.
Head of the Child Health Division at Menzies, Professor Anne Chang AM, was recognised for her research in childhood respiratory health, particularly child coughs, asthma and bronchiectasis as well as her contribution to evidenced-based clinical management of these conditions.
Some of her research feats include discovering the common cause of chronic wet cough and developing evidenced based ways to better treat the condition, and establishing the world’s first international lung project in Indigenous children. She currently leads the Australian Bronchiectasis Centre of Research Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children (AusBREATHE).