Our 2025 ACTA Symposium Presenters
Professor Chris Reid
Christopher Reid is a cardiovascular epidemiologist and clinical trialist with a specific interest in large scale clinical trials, quality improvement and outcomes research. He holds a NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship and has had continual NHMRC research funding since 1997.
He holds Professorial Research Fellow positions at both Curtin and Monash University and is Co-Director of the Monash Centre for Cardiovascular Research and Education in Therapeutics (CCRE) and Director of the Curtin Centre for Clinical Research and Education (CCRE).
Professor Bianca Brijnath
Professor Bianca Brijnath is a Professor of Health Communication in Society at La Trobe University. Her background is in medical anthropology and public health, and her research focuses on cultural diversity, dementia, and mental health. Within these areas, she has conducted numerous studies on dementia prevention, awareness, diagnosis, and care, particularly within culturally diverse communities in Australia and beyond.
Bianca has authored over 150 publications and created more than 70 multilingual films, comics, and animations. Additionally, she has generated over $26 million in research income. In recognition of my work, she was inducted into the State Government of Victoria’s Multicultural Honour Roll in 2022.
Dr Saraid Billiards
Dr Saraid Billiards is the CEO of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), the peak body representing medical research institutes across Australia. Saraid has more than 20 years of experience in the health and medical research sector, including over a decade in senior roles within Australia’s major government funding agencies — the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). She previously led Strategy and Engagement for Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), a transformative initiative supporting systemic change for gender equity in Australian academic institutions.
A highly regarded leader, policy expert and researcher, Saraid is deeply committed to advancing health and medical research, as well as promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion across the sector.She holds a PhD in neurophysiology from Monash University and was a research fellow in the Department of Neuropathology at Harvard Medical School.
Professor Steve Wesselingh
Professor Steve Wesselingh took up the position of the Chief Executive Officer at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in August 2023. Professor Wesselingh is an infectious diseases physician and researcher. He undertook his undergraduate and doctoral training at Flinders University and his post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins in the United States.
Until July 2023, Professor Wesselingh was the inaugural Executive Director of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). He was also a member of NHMRC Council, Chair of Research Committee, and the President of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).Between 2007-2011, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University.
Dr Suzie Harte
Dr Suzie Harte is the National Program Manager for the PARTNER Network program, bringing health research to rural Australians. Her role with the University of Melbourne, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science is funded by a Medical Research Future Fund infrastructure grant as part of the Australian Teletrial Program. As a passionate health researcher and accredited practising dietitian Suzie has special interests in health systems, health and education equity, community involvement in research, paediatric health and disability.
Dr Tanya Symons
Dr Tanya Symons is a highly experienced clinical trial consultant and an internationally recognised expert in Good Clinical Practice (GCP). She has delivered GCP and ethics committee training to over 80,000 individuals worldwide.In the UK, Tanya manages the internationally recognised NIHR Clinical Trials Toolkit.
In Australia, she collaborates with governments, government-funded organisations, and clinical trial sponsors to ensure trial initiatives align with international best practices.Tanya has authored or co-authored several national guidelines, including the TGA Australian Clinical Trials Handbook, the NHMRC Safety Reporting and Serious Breach Guidelines, and the ACTA/CTIQ Consumer Involvement and Engagement Toolkit.Her research interests include consumer involvement in research and the integration of clinical trials within a learning healthcare system.
Australian Clinical Trials Alliance
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