Curtin University has appointed Professor Rachel Huxley as its new Head of School of Public Health, following an extensive national and international search, and rigorous selection process.
Professor Huxley joins Curtin from her appointment as the Chair of Epidemiology, Head of the Research and Research Training Committee and Director of the Queensland Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Centre (QCTBC), University of Queensland.
Professor Huxley obtained her doctorate in Epidemiology and Public Health from Oxford University and completed her post-doctoral training in Oxford before relocating to the George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, in 2002.
During 2002 – 2009, Professor Huxley was awarded three internationally competitive fellowships, including the inaugural Career Development Fellowship from the Heart Foundation and the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research.
In 2009, Professor Huxley relocated to the United States where she became a co-investigator on the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis in the Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Minnesota.
Professor Huxley’s research is primarily focused on the determination and quantification of major and modifiable risk factors for chronic disease, and sex and ethnic disparities in these relationships. She has published more than 160 research articles, many of which are in high-impact journals including the Lancet, JAMA, Circulation and the British Medical Journal. She has also co-written several book chapters and has a Google Scholar H-index of 49 and more than 11,000 citations.
Professor Huxley is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences on topics pertaining to cardiovascular epidemiology and is a frequent commentator in the media.
Professor Michael Berndt, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences, welcomed Professor Huxley’s appointment.
“Professor Huxley has an outstanding teaching and research track record,” Professor Berndt said.
“She is joining Curtin University at an exciting time with many significant capital projects underway and the commencement of Western Australia’s next medical school.”
Professor Huxley said she is looking forward to joining Curtin and to working with fellow Faculty members in establishing Curtin’s credentials as one of the top ten School’s of Public Health within Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific Region.
Professor Huxley will commence in the role of Head of School, Public Health on August 3, 2015 and replaces Professor Maycock whose term as Head of School, Public Health has expired. Professor Maycock is looking forward to pursuing other opportunities after guiding the School through numerous major changes over the last four years.
