Kathryn North

Australian paediatric physician, neurologist, and clinical geneticist

Kathryn Nance North AC is a paediatric physician, neurologist, and clinical geneticist. In 2013, she was appointed Director of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute^[1] and was named the David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at the University of Melbourne.^[2] In 2012, North was appointed chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council Research Committee.^[3] In 2014, she was appointed vice chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and co-chair of its Clinical Working Group.

North received a doctorate in neurogenetics in 1994 from University of Sydney and later completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Genetics Program at Harvard Medical School. North's laboratory research is focused on the molecular and genetic basis of inherited muscle disorders including muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies, and of elite athletic performance. Her clinical research is focused on cognitive deficits in neurofibromatosis type 1 and intervention strategies for children with learning disabilities and inherited myopathies.

Awards

• The Sunderland Award from the Australian Neuroscience Society (2000)^[4]
• The Sutherland Lecturership by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (2008)^[4]
• The Glaxo Smith Kline Australia Award for Research Excellence (2011)
• The Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2012)
• Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to medicine in the field of neuromuscular and neurogenetics research for "service to medicine in the field of neuromuscular and neurogenetics research, paediatrics and child health as a clinician and academic, and to national and international professional associations." (2012)^[5]
• Foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science (2014)^[6]
• Doctor of Medical Science honoris causa (2017) from the University of Melbourne.^[7]
• Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) (2019) for "eminent service to genomic medicine nationally and internationally, to medical research in the fields of genetics, neurology and child health, and as a mentor and role model."^[8]
• Peter Wills Medal from Research Australia (2019), "recognising an outstanding, long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in areas of health and medical research and fostering collaboration for better health."^[9]

References

1. "Kathryn North". Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
2. "8th David Danks Oration". University of Melbourne. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
3. "Members of Council 2015 - 2018 triennium". National Health and Medical Research Council. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
4. "Think Tank 2013 - Speakers | Australian Academy of Science: Professor Kathryn North". www.science.org.au. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
5. "Media Notes: Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia: Professor Kathryn Nance NORTH" (PDF). Governor General of Australia. 26 January 2012. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
6. "Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences" (PDF). Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. June 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
7. "Citation for the award of Doctor of Medical Science (honoris causa)". 15 November 2017.
8. "Media Notes: Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia: Professor Kathryn Nance NORTH" (PDF). Governor General Of Australia. 26 January 2019. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
9. "Professor Kathryn North AC awarded Research Australia's Peter Wills Medal". murdoch children's research institute. 15 November 2019.

External links

• Australasian Neuroscience Society
• Human Genetics Society of Australasia