Our people

Interim Executive Director: Professor Robert Gorkin

Operations Manager: Ms Elizabeth Henness

Research Outcomes Coordinator: Dr Brigitte Gerstl

Communications Officer and Editor, In-SPHERE: Ms Linda Music

Administration Officer: Mrs Bianca Badolato

Research Support Officer (Maternal & Women’s Health, Palliative Care, Healthy Populations and Environments, Innovation and Industry, Early Life Determinants of Health, Cardiac and Vascular Health): Dr Sophie Gates

Research Support Officer (Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, Age and Ageing, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Disease, Early Life Determinants of Health, Kids to Adults, Musculoskeletal Health): Dr Maf Hasan

Research Support Officer (Clinical Trials and Data, Implementation Science, Knowledge Translation): [email protected]

Our Council plays a pivotal role in ensuring effective governance at SPHERE. This involves setting the strategic direction of the organisation, appointing the Executive Director, and establishing and monitoring key performance indicators. Additionally, the Council actively engages in goal setting for the executive management team, oversees financial matters such as approving annual budgets, and consistently monitors financial performance and risk management. Ensuring legal compliance is a priority, with the Council receiving valuable advice from committees dedicated to financial and risk management, as well as strategy and performance.

Our Council is made up of members from across all our partnerships.

Chair: Professor Cheryl Jones

South Western Sydney Local Health District:

Ms Sonia Marshall

Professor Josephine Chow

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District:

Mr Tobi Wilson

Professor Georgina Hold

St Vincents Health Service:

Ms Anna McFadgen

Associate Professor Philip Cunningham

Sydney Children’s Hospital Network:

Cathryn Cox PSM

University of NSW (UNSW):

Professor Cheryl Jones

Professor Vlado Perkovic

Western Sydney University (WSU):

Professor Deborah Sweeney

University of Technology Sydney (UTS):

Professor Kathryn McGrath (Kate)

Professor Angela Dawson

Australian Catholic University (ACU):

Ms Julie Rothacker 

Black Dog Institute:

Professor Samuel Harvey

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute:

Professor Jason Kovacic

NeuRA:

Professor James McAuley

Garvan Institute of Medical Research:

Professor Benjamin Kile

Children’s Cancer Institute:

Professor Michelle Haber AM

The George Institute (TGI):

Professor Bruce Neal

Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research:

Professor Les Bokey AM

NSW Health (ex-officio)

Ms Susan Pearce or nominee

Observers:

Dr Brendan Goodger (CESPHN)