Farewell to Professor Matthew Kiernan
Professor Matthew Kiernan is a world-renowned clinical academic and scientist, whose research focuses on neurodegenerative disease, motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). He was honoured with an Order of Australia in 2019 for ‘significant service to medicine and to medical education, in the field of neurology’.
In 2022, Professor Kiernan became the first Australian to receive the Sheila Essey Award from the American Academy of Neurology. In June 2023, he was awarded the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (Perpetual Trustees). Professor Kiernan is also the Bushell Chair of Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney, with academic responsibility for the discipline of neurology across the university’s multiple campuses.
He currently leads a multi-disciplinary group at The Brain and Mind Centre, made up of clinicians, scientists, biomedical engineers, and doctoral and postdoctoral students focusing on disease pathology, biomarkers and treatment strategies including clinical trials exploring novel drug regimes.
“During his time with us, Matthew participated greatly in the transition from the previous Brain and Mind Research Institute to the establishment of one of the new flagship Multidisciplinary Initiatives of the University of Sydney. His contribution to that complex process is greatly appreciated by all our staff,” says Co-director Professor Ian Hickie.
Matthew’s work at the Brain and Mind Centre has demonstrated the massive impact that university research can have on society, producing breakthroughs that have improved the management of neurodegenerative diseases by physicians around the world.
At this time an end date for Matthew has not been determined, however he will not be joining the University in the new year.
Professor Kiernan is an invaluable asset to neurodegenerative research and we endeavour his breakthroughs will continue in this space as Chief Executive Officer and Institute Director at NeuRA. We look forward to working with him in his new role, so that we can continue to grow Australia’s global capacity in the Brain and Mind Sciences.