20 May 2025
Professor John Prins has stepped down from the role of Health Translation Queensland (HTQ) Executive Director after more than 2 years of dedicated service.
HTQ, as well as the HTQ Chair Sue Scheinpflug on behalf of the Board, acknowledge and thank Professor Prins for his significant contribution to our partnership and the broader translational research community.
Professor Prins joined HTQ in early 2023 as Executive Director, following his role as the Head of the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne. The Executive Director role marked his second stint at HTQ, having served as the Interim CEO of Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners (now HTQ) from 2015-2016 and having played a key role in the early applications for National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) accreditation as a Research Translation Centre.
Professor Prins, a respected clinician-research and a strong, collaborative leader, had a clear vision for health translation in Queensland.
At the helm of HTQ, Professor Prins worked closely with the Board and the HTQ team to oversee several significant initiatives, including:
At a national level, Professor Prins was the Chair of the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA), representing the 12 NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centres and 2 Emerging Centres. In this role, he was instrumental in leading the advocacy work to secure a 2-year NHMRC grant funding round for the Research Translation Centres from mid-2025.
He also oversaw the introduction of an AHRA Rural, Regional and Remote Sub Committee, strengthened relationships with the NHMRC and Medical Research Futures Fund at many levels, and enhanced relationships with aligned academies to streamline the education and training of the health research workforce.
Professor Prins contributed actively to many state and national advisory committees, championing collaboration over competition in health and medical research for better health outcomes. These contributions in Queensland and nationally have helped position HTQ and its partners for future success.
Dr Celia Webby has stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director until a new Executive Director has been appointed.
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Health Translation Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which we live, work, and play. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their Descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.
