Professor Maree Gleeson
Director, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)

Professor Gleeson is the Director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), responsible for developing and implementing strategies to enhance health and medical research in the Hunter region and promoting the research undertaken by HMRI. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health, and the Hunter community.

Professor Gleeson was the Inaugural Director of Medical Research in the NSW Ministry for Science and Medical Research (2004 – 2006), where she was responsible for strategic planning for growth and innovation of medical research in NSW and funding of health and medical research programs of the NSW Government.

She has previously held a number of leadership roles within the Hunter’s research sector, including Director of Immunology, Hunter Area Pathology (2002-2004). Professor Gleeson is an Immunologist and conducts research with the University of Newcastle and the Australian Institute of Sport on the impact of respiratory infections in elite athletes. Other research focuses are the development of asthma and allergy in children and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

In addition to serving on a number of Federal and State Government scientific advisory committees, Professor Gleeson is a Member of the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and Research Australia.