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Deputy VC takes senior job at Monash

Professor Edwina Cornish
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Thursday, 2 October 2003

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Edwina Cornish, has been appointed to the equivalent role at Monash ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ in Victoria.

A leading biotechnologist, Professor Cornish has been DVCR at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide since February 2000. She joined the university from Melbourne-based biotechnology company Florigene Ltd.

"Over the past three years, Professor Cornish has played a leading role in the advancement of research and research education programs at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide, and in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s research community generally," the Vice-Chancellor, Professor James McWha, says.

"Her contribution to this university, particularly through her leadership on a number of collaborative research ventures and in research commercialisation, will have a lasting impact on the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide in the 21st century," he says.

Professor Cornish's key achievements in her time at Adelaide include:

• a 33% increase in research revenue (from $59.3 million to $78.9 million);
• an increase in enrolment of domestic research students;
• a restructure of commercialisation activities at the university;
• a restructure of the Faculty of Sciences; and
• improved collaboration with other South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n and national research bodies.

Major research ventures established during Professor Cornish's research administration include:

• the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Centre for Plant Functional Genomics;
• ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Grain Technologies Pty Ltd;
• the National Stem Cell Centre;
• eight new Cooperative Research Centres;
• three major national research facilities; and
• a joint environmental science laboratory with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"These three years at Adelaide have been a great source of pride for me, not just in terms of the many high-profile achievements that I've witnessed over that time but also because I know that the quality of research and research education at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide is of an international standard," Professor Cornish says.

"It has been a pleasure to see the successes of so many talented staff and students, and to oversee the beginnings of new research collaborations that will enhance ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s reputation for quality research and innovation," she says.

Professor Cornish will remain at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide until the end of the year.

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