Edward Byrne (academic)
Encyclopedia
Professor Edward Byrne AO
MBBS
MD
DSc
MBA FRCP FRACP is a neuroscientist
and university administrator. He is currently serving Vice-Chancellor of Monash University
in Australia
.
, and moved to Australia at the age of 15. He studied medicine at the University of Tasmania
, graduating with first class honours in 1974.
, as Neurology Registrar at Adelaide Hospital in 1978. In 1979, he left Australia to undertake a research fellowship in clinical neurology in London.
He returned to Australia to become Director of Neurology at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
in 1983 - at just 31 years old.
In 1993, he became Founding Director of the Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Unit and the Centre for Neuroscience, going on to become Professor of Experimental Neurology at the University of Melbourne
in 2001.
His contribution to neuroscience has been particularly strong in mitochondrial disease
. In 2003, his work was recognised when he was admitted as an Officer of the Order of Australia
- one of the country's highest civilian honours.
Byrne first came to Monash University in 2003, when he was made Dean of its Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, a role he held until 2007.
He then returned to the UK, where he became Vice-Provost (Health) at University College London
(initially serving as Dean of its Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Head of its School of Medicine.
In 2009, Monash University announced that Professor Byrne would replace Richard Larkins
, its outgoing Vice-Chancellor. Immediately upon his appointment, Byrne undertook a restructuring of the University's management and administration, placing the ten faculties into four "clusters". The aim of this was to encourage inter-disciplinary collarboration and reduce duplication across faculties (cutting administrative costs). Byrne has stated that, in his term as Vice-Chancellor, he wants Monash to consolidate and increase the research output of its international campuses in Malaysia and South Africa, and its graduate academy in India, tapping into regional research funding.
In addition to his role in universities and medical research, Byrne has served on the boards of various commercial biomedical enterprises, including Cochlear
(one of Australia's most successful biotech companies) and BUPA
(the UK's leading private health provider). Byrne is a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
.
In his personal life, he is described as softly spoken, and apparently has a keen interest in fly fishing
and classical music
.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
MBBS
MBBS
MBBS was a popular BBS system in the Nordic countries during the mid-1990s. It was created by a team of Oslo-based enthusiasts, led by Mike Robertson. As many BBS systems of that era, it was only available for the DOS platform. Since one process could only handle one node, multitaskers such as...
MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
DSc
DSC
-in academia:* D.Sc., Doctor of Science* Doctor of Surgical Chiropody, superseded in the 1960s by Doctor of Podiatric Medicine* Dalton State College, Georgia* Daytona State College, Florida* Deep Springs College, California* Dixie State College of Utah...
MBA FRCP FRACP is a neuroscientist
Neuroscientist
A neuroscientist is an individual who studies the scientific field of neuroscience or any of its related sub-fields...
and university administrator. He is currently serving Vice-Chancellor of Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Early life
Byrne grew up in northeast England, the son of a general practitionerGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, and moved to Australia at the age of 15. He studied medicine at the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
, graduating with first class honours in 1974.
Professional career
Professor Byrne's career in neuroscience combined prominent work as both a researcher and clinician. His career began in Adelaide, AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, as Neurology Registrar at Adelaide Hospital in 1978. In 1979, he left Australia to undertake a research fellowship in clinical neurology in London.
He returned to Australia to become Director of Neurology at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne is the major hospital in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.It is operated by the St Vincent's Health service, previously known as the Sisters of Charity Health Service, Melbourne...
in 1983 - at just 31 years old.
In 1993, he became Founding Director of the Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Unit and the Centre for Neuroscience, going on to become Professor of Experimental Neurology at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
in 2001.
His contribution to neuroscience has been particularly strong in mitochondrial disease
Mitochondrial disease
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, the organelles that are the "powerhouses" of the cell. Mitochondria are found in every cell of the human body except red blood cells...
. In 2003, his work was recognised when he was admitted as an Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
- one of the country's highest civilian honours.
Byrne first came to Monash University in 2003, when he was made Dean of its Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, a role he held until 2007.
He then returned to the UK, where he became Vice-Provost (Health) at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(initially serving as Dean of its Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Head of its School of Medicine.
In 2009, Monash University announced that Professor Byrne would replace Richard Larkins
Richard Larkins
Professor Richard Graeme Larkins AO was the Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University from 2003 until June 2009. Prior to this, he had a distinguished career in medicine, scientific research and academic management....
, its outgoing Vice-Chancellor. Immediately upon his appointment, Byrne undertook a restructuring of the University's management and administration, placing the ten faculties into four "clusters". The aim of this was to encourage inter-disciplinary collarboration and reduce duplication across faculties (cutting administrative costs). Byrne has stated that, in his term as Vice-Chancellor, he wants Monash to consolidate and increase the research output of its international campuses in Malaysia and South Africa, and its graduate academy in India, tapping into regional research funding.
In addition to his role in universities and medical research, Byrne has served on the boards of various commercial biomedical enterprises, including Cochlear
Cochlear
Cochlear, the adjective form of cochlea, may refer to:* Cochlear implant, a sensory aid for the deaf* Cochlear nuclei, the ventral cochlear nucleus and the dorsal cochlear nucleus...
(one of Australia's most successful biotech companies) and BUPA
Bupa
Bupa is a large British healthcare organisation, with bases on three continents and more than ten million customers in over 200 countries. It is a private healthcare company, in direct contrast to the UK's National Health Services, which are tax-funded healthcare systems and do not require private...
(the UK's leading private health provider). Byrne is a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria is an Australian charity that was formed by a group of concerned parents in May 1964 to provide support and information to all Victorians affected by epilepsy...
.
In his personal life, he is described as softly spoken, and apparently has a keen interest in fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
and classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
.