13 June 2019
Institute news
Institute Board member, Dr David Thurin, recognised with Queen’s Birthday Honour
Congratulations to Baker Institute Board Director, Dr David Thurin who was recognised with a Member (AM) in the General Division in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his significant service to sporting organisations and to community health.
Dr Thurin AM has been a Non-Executive Director of the Institute Board since 2008 and was previously Chairman of the International Diabetes Institute from 2007–2008 and a board member for five years.
As Chair of the International Diabetes Institute, Dr Thurin led the successful merger with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in 2008 to create Australia’s first multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to tackling cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
The merger of two of Australia’s most prominent, world-class medical research institutes (MRIs) created a scientific powerhouse, with the Baker Institute now one of Australia’s leading MRI’s and looking to celebrate 100 years of medical discoveries in 2026.
Dr Thurin is a key supporter of the Institute’s strategy to be a leader in personalised medicine in the cardiometabolic space, which promises to transform how we tackle heart disease and diabetes by preventing disease years before it develops.
He has been a wonderful supporter of our collaboration with Israeli researchers. Since 2015, Institute scientists have made regular trips to Israel and in 2017, the Baker Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hadassah Medical Center to promote collaborative research, and staff and student exchange. The Institute has also established partnership grants to drive these scientific collaborations further.
As a leading not-for-profit organisation, Dr Thurin has been a strong supporter of the Institute’s philanthropic endeavours, and has led by example. This includes providing the David and Lisa Thurin Seed Grant to advance research including a novel and lifesaving treatment for the failing heart.
Baker Institute Director, Professor Tom Marwick paid tribute to Dr Thurin, saying he has devoted significant energy and expertise to securing a strong foundation for the Institute to continue its world-leading research to help Australians live healthier for longer.
