About

The Molecular Horizons Management Committee (MHMC) oversees the research operations, budgeting and reporting of the Institute, and provides leadership and strategic direction in support of the Institute's objectives of delivering transformational molecular research.

Composition of committee

Interim Director
Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin

Professor McLaughlin is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Medicine & Health at the University of Wollongong. She is also the Interim Director of Molecular Horizons, leading the institute to achieve their academic and research goals through her guidance and leadership.

Her research focuses on the development of functional genomic models to elucidate germ cell development in mice and Drosophila, adverse effects of environmental toxicants and infectious disease on fertility and the development of novel therapeutics for contraception and sterility for use in pest animal control, assisted reproduction and domesticated animal production. She has expertise in cell and molecular biology, and internationally recognised for her work in assisted reproduction, environmental toxicology and developmental biology.

Deputy Director - Industry Partnerships
Senior Professor Mark Wilson

Senior Professor Mark Wilson’s research group is focussed on both basic and applied science relating to chaperones and protein folding, with a special emphasis on a novel group of (normally secreted) extracellular chaperones discovered by us. They reported the first known extracellular chaperone in mammals (clusterin) and have continued to discover new examples of this small but growing family of important molecules and have also developed new fluorescence-based technology platforms, including a high-throughput flow cytometry system currently being applied in a search for novel drugs to treat motor neurone disease. As Deputy Director, Industry Partnerships, Senior Professor Wilson aims to foster connections between Molecular Horizon researchers and national and global partners from academia and industry to further expand the scope and impact of Molecular Horizons’ ground-breaking molecular discoveries and drug and technology development programs.

Deputy Director - Research Infrastructure
Associate Professor Christopher Hyland

Associate Professor Hyland’s group is interested in developing new transition metal-catalysed reactions for the synthesis of small organic molecules. Working closely with computational chemistry to develop a detailed mechanistic understanding of new reaction processes. They aim to develop tools for chemists to build complex molecules that may be used in new pharmaceuticals or materials. There is a particular focus on developing reactions that are efficient and selective to reduce waste and energy consumption. Through collaborations we also aim to harness synthetic chemistry to learn more about biological systems and develop potential new therapeutics. As Deputy Director, Research Infrastructure Associate Professor Christopher Hyland aims to develop the research infrastructure capabilities to ensure that Molecular Horizons continues to be at the forefront of scientific discovery and development.

Deputy Director - Community Engagement
Associate Professor Katrina Green 

Associate Professor Katrina Green (Weston-Green, PhD) is a Senior Lecturer (School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences) who leads a vibrant lab group in the field of neuropharmacology. Her team aims to investigate molecular mechanisms underpinning neuropsychiatric illnesses and identify new treatments. Associate Professor Green’s main interests are the use of natural bioactive compounds to improve cognitive impairment as a core symptom domain spanning a number of brain illnesses (eg schizophrenia, depression, mild cognitive impairment/dementia and substance use disorder). Associate Professor Green’s role on the Executive Committee is to facilitate Community Engagement. Molecular Horizons aims to solve questions around diseases effecting our community. We recognise that our community holds the keys to help us find answers and believe in the importance of a united effort towards shining a light on disease and treatments.

The role of the Research Infrastructure Steering Committee (RISC) is to develop and implement strategies for the maintenance and growth of research infrastructure at Molecular Horizons. The RISC oversees the newly established facilities in Molecular Horizons, as well as represent the facilities already in existence that predate the establishment of the Institute and already operate under their existing governance structures.  

Current membership

The role of the Molecular Horizons Seminar Committee is to support a high-quality seminar program that provides a platform for our PhD students to share their research outcomes and also host an array of external cross-disciplinary researchers, with the goal of promoting collaborative research opportunities.