Professor John Hopwood AM FAA, Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee

Professor Hopwood is Head of the Lysosomal Diseases Research Unit, SA Pathology, Adelaide. The Unit is the largest multidisciplinary group researching lysosomal storage disorders nationally and internationally.
The Lysosomal Diseases Research Unit has become world-renowned for its research capabilities in this area and the translation of research findings into state-of-the-art diagnostic services and therapeutics. The Unit has remained at the international forefront of research into the diagnosis, treatment and biology of lysosomal diseases.

The Unit has generated several world firsts, particularly the isolation of the genes involved in some of these disorders and the development of first-ever FDA-approved treatments for two disorders, which in 2005 and 2006 were marketed world-wide. These outcomes have led to improved quality of life for patients and multi-million dollar royalty returns to South Australia. This represents one of the largest public sector commercialisation outcomes in South Australia and possibly Australia.

Professor Hopwood has mentored 23 PhD students and 34 Post Doctoral scientists; has over 380 peer-reviewed scientific publications, over 30 international patents and over $30 million in competitive research funding. He is an affiliate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Adelaide and Department of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia.

Over the past 5 years Professor Hopwood has been honoured with the Lemberg Medal for Excellence in Biochemistry, a Member of the Order of Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, SA Premier’s Science Award for Excellence in Commercialisation of Research, SA Scientist of the Year, ATSE Clunies Ross Award, and most recently has been awarded the prestigious 2009 CSL Florey Medal for significant achievements in biomedical science and human health advancement.

Professor Hopwood’s international research reputation and knowledge, particularly in the area of research translation and commercialisation, will contribute greatly to the skills of the SAHMRI Board as they provide the strategic direction needed to establish a word-class research institute in South Australia.