17 October 2023

Congratulations to Professor James Best AO, our Director of Research, for being elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences is the impartial, authoritative, cross-sector voice of health and medical science in Australia. They advance health and medical research in Australia and its translation into benefits for all, by fostering leadership within our sector, providing expert advice to decision makers, and engaging patients and the public.

Prof Best has had a major commitment to clinical research for over 30 years, with more than 125 peer-reviewed clinical publications, particularly in the fields of diabetes, insulin resistance, lipid disorders, renal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

“Without research, there would be no advances in medical care or improvement in the treatment outcomes for our patients,” James said.

“Over the 50 years since my graduation from the Melbourne Medical School there have been extraordinary advances in medical care. A number of these advances in the treatment of conditions have resulted from decades of outstanding research at Austin Health.”

When asked about his proudest achievement to date, Prof Best said this was a difficult question to answer.

“Like a lot of research, it is the accumulation of discoveries over a period of time that makes up a body of work and has impact on patient care. I do recall the first research presentation I made in the US as a proud moment, after two years of research work at the University of Washington in Seattle. The discovery and characterisation of a novel glucose transporter protein was significant as it happened by chance.”

However, it’s his work with others that stands out the most.

“As Louis Pasteur said: ‘Chance favours the prepared mind’. For some time, my greatest source of pride is the achievements of the many colleagues I have supported and mentored.