New CEO for the Translational Research Institute

The Translational Research Institute (TRI) Board has appointed renowned respiratory specialist, Professor Scott Bell as the Institute’s new CEO.

Professor Bell is a leading clinician and researcher in Cystic Fibrosis (CF).  He recently co-led the development of a new global blueprint for the care of people with the fatal genetic disorder. His work will help the 3500 Australians with the incurable condition to live decades longer. 

TRI Chair Professor David Siddle said Professor Bell will bring a wealth of leadership and expertise in medical research and clinical translation to his role as TRI CEO.

“Scott is an experienced clinician with a long history of supporting multi-disciplinary research and clinical trials,” said Professor Siddle.

“He has a proven ability to provide the strategic leadership and guidance needed to progress TRI’s mandate to translate innovative medical research into improved clinical practice and better health outcomes for people.”

Professor Bell said he was looking forward to joining TRI, a world-class research institute with great engagement from all its four partners - Mater Research, Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology and The University of Queensland.

“My focus initially will be on understanding the current translational pathways from the work undertaken within TRI and how we can further develop links between our clinical colleagues and the researchers based at TRI,” he said

 “I am particularly interested in fostering a culture of collaboration with TRI and within the South East Queensland clinical and research ecosystem.” 

At the recent European Respiratory Society Congress in Spain, Professor Bell and Toronto-expert Dr Felix Rajten, who worked with a team of 38 inter-disciplinary contributors, unveiled The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Commission on the Future of Care of Cystic Fibrosis: a global perspective. 

Professor Bell has over 250 peer reviewed publications and has received grant support in excess of $22 million over the past 10 years.  He is a Senior Thoracic Physician at the Prince Charles Hospital and Editor-in Chief of the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis.  Prior to his appointment as TRI CEO, Professor Bell was the Executive Director of Research at Metro North Health and the head of QIMR Berghofer’s Lung Bacteria laboratory.

Professor Bell is the third CEO for TRI.  He takes over from Professor Carolyn Mountford who stepped down in February 2020, after five years as CEO, to concentrate on commercialising her research. 

Media: Louise Morland  | [email protected]  mob : 0417 679 306