We are pleased to announce Professor Nicholas Fisk AM FAHMS FAICD as PHRN’s new Board Chair, beginning January 2026.

Outgoing Chair, Professor Ian Smith, who has served on the Board since 2017, is thrilled that Professor Fisk accepted the role of chair. “Professor Fisk brings a perfect blend of clinical expertise, research experience, a deep understanding of both government and academic processes, and an appreciation for the importance of linking health data,” he said.

A clinical scientist and senior university leader with expertise in fetal-maternal medicine and developmental biology. Between 2016 and 2024, Professor Fisk served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise at UNSW Sydney, a period in which the university climbed to #19 in the QS global rankings and national leadership for start up and spin out companies. Prior to UNSW, he held senior leadership roles at the University of Queensland and spent two decades at Imperial College London.

His board and advisory roles span research, industry, health and professional bodies. He currently serves on the boards of Research Australia and Scientia Clinical Research, and has previously held positions with New South Innovations (Chair), the Engineering & Design Institute London, the Association of Academic Health Centers, the Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute, and major Queensland health and research organisations. He has chaired several national and international committees, including the Association of Academic Health Centres International, the Go8 DVCR Committee and the International Fetal Medicine & Surgery Society.

A leading researcher in fetal-maternal medicine and developmental biology, Professor Fisk has more than 400 publications and an h-index over 100. His consultancy and expert witness work has supported regulatory, pharmaceutical, genetics and intellectual property matters, including appearances before FDA and European Medicines Agency regulatory bodies.

We look forward to his leadership and insight.