University of Melbourne announces new Head of the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan, an expert in respiratory medicine and an internationally recognised clinician scientist, has been announced as the new Head of the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne.
It follows an extensive and rigorous global search and selection process.
University of Melbourne Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Professor Jane Gunn AO congratulated Professor Ranganathan on his appointment.
“I am delighted to welcome Professor Ranganathan to lead the Melbourne Medical School, a pivotal role in the faculty and university,” Professor Gunn said.
“Professor Ranganathan brings a strong track record of leadership in health that will make a positive impact on students, staff and our wider network in the biomedical precinct and beyond.
Professor Ranganathan has held several leadership positions in the faculty to date including Stevenson Chair in Paediatrics and Head of the Department of Paediatrics, a large department within the Melbourne Medical School.
He is a well-known member of the faculty, where he has also served as Academic Director, Clinical Education, Strategy and Risk.
Professor Ranganathan has longstanding connections at the Royal Children’s Hospital where he has been a consultant respiratory physician since 2004 and was Director of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine between 2012-2020.
As a member of the Children’s Campus Council Professor Ranganathan provided leadership on a number of strategic developments, including the establishment of the Centre for Health Analytics, and the Melbourne Children’s Disability Research Hub.
He is Chair of the Melbourne Children’s Campus Education Committee and established the Paediatric Academy to develop and grow an inter-professional community across the Children’s Campus.
As co-Chair of the Melbourne Children’s Clinical Research Incubator Sarath is also committed to fostering and nurturing the academic careers of clinician scientists.
An accomplished scholar, Professor Ranganathan has led his own research group since 2010 as Group Head of Respiratory Research in the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
His research has directly led to a paradigm shift in how lung disease is viewed in cystic fibrosis that has impacted worldwide practice.
Professor Ranganathan will commence in the role in January 2024 and said he was looking forward to the next chapter.
“It is a great privilege to be appointed as the next Head of the Melbourne Medical School,” he said.
“The Melbourne Medical School is a leader in teaching and training, research, policy and practice and I look forward to working with our students and staff to continue the school’s great tradition of serving our community and advancing health.”