Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s (MCRI) Professor Mimi Tang has been appointed as inaugural Chair of the ASEAN-Australia Centre Advisory Board.

The ASEAN-Australia Centre, a Federal Government initiative that supports the South East Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, will deepen economic and diplomatic ties between Australia and Southeast Asia.

The Centre’s programs support emerging leaders and young female entrepreneurs and will create a First Nations digital art exhibition in Southeast Asia. It will also bolster partnerships that connect Australian and Southeast Asian students and teachers.

Federal Foreign Affairs Penny Wong made the announcement of Professor Tang’s new position. Professor Tang is MCRI’s Director of the Allergy Translation Centre and head of Allergy Immunology. She is a leading allergy researcher and has pioneered an oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) for peanut allergy that was found to induce remission in many children including Stella (pictured above).

Professor Tang is also a Consultant Immunologist Allergist at The Royal Children’s Hospital and the CEO and scientific founder of Prota Therapeutics, a biotech startup focussed on developing OIT for food allergies.

Image: Professor Mimi Tang

Her ties to Southeast Asia are strong, with Professor Tang born in Singapore and growing up in Malaysia before moving to Australia in primary school.

Professor Tang said she was excited to make an impact at the ASEAN-Australia Centre.

“It’s an honour to elevate the work of Southeast Asian women and turbocharge various business and creative ventures that will benefit both our regions,” she said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and I am proud to strengthen the connection between Australia and a dynamic, diverse area that I have a strong personal connection with.”

Read more about MCRI’s food allergy research.