QIMR Berghofer has appointed internationally recognised geneticist Professor Brandon Wainwright AM as its next Director and Chief Executive Officer, with his tenure to begin on 7 September 2026.
Professor Wainwright joins the Queensland medical research institute with a career spanning fundamental biomedical discovery, translational science and senior research leadership across Australia’s medical research sector. He is currently a professor at The University of Queensland and co-director of the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre, where his work focuses on the genetic pathways that underlie medulloblastoma and other cancers.
Medulloblastoma is a brain tumour that occurs predominantly in children, and Professor Wainwright’s research has helped deepen understanding of the molecular processes that drive the disease. His wider scientific contribution includes pioneering work on the Hedgehog signalling pathway, a genetic pathway implicated in the development of many human cancers.
A molecular geneticist by training, Professor Wainwright has used genetic approaches to identify the genes and biological mechanisms that cause disease. His appointment brings a researcher with extensive experience in both discovery science and the challenge of translating scientific insights into improved health outcomes.
Professor Wainwright completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at The University of Adelaide before undertaking postdoctoral research at Imperial College London’s St Mary’s Hospital. He returned to Australia in 1990 to join The University of Queensland, where he went on to hold a series of senior leadership positions, including as head of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience until 2019.
QIMR Berghofer Council Chair Professor Arun Sharma AM said Professor Wainwright’s scientific record and leadership experience made him well placed to guide the institute through its next phase.
“Professor Wainwright brings an exceptional combination of scientific achievement, research leadership and deep knowledge of Australia’s medical research sector,” Professor Sharma said.
“The Council is delighted to welcome him to QIMR Berghofer and looks forward to working with him as the Institute enters its next chapter.”
Queensland Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls said the state government looked forward to supporting the institute’s continued success under Professor Wainwright’s leadership.
“We welcome the opportunity to see Professor Wainwright make an impactful and lasting contribution to the Institute and the broader sector, that strengthens partnerships, advances discovery, and delivers meaningful benefits for Queenslanders,” Mr Nicholls said.
Professor Wainwright said he was honoured to take on the role at an institute with a longstanding reputation for research that improves human health.
“It is a great privilege to be joining QIMR Berghofer, an Institute with an extraordinary history and reputation for research that improves human health,” he said.
“I look forward to working with its talented researchers, staff and students, and with the Institute’s many partners, donors and supporters, to build on those strengths and shape the next phase of its impact.”
Professor Sharma also acknowledged Professor Grant A. Ramm, who has served as QIMR Berghofer’s Interim Director and CEO since the beginning of the year.
