Prof Kathryn North
Prof Kathryn North
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Role
Director
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Director's Office
Professor Kathryn North AC is Director of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at The University of Melbourne.
Kathryn trained as a paediatrician, neurologist and clinical geneticist, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Harvard Genetics Program and was awarded a doctorate for research in neurogenetics. She is recognised internationally for her exceptional scientific achievements, nationally for her contributions to policy and guiding strategic direction of the medical research sector and as a national and international leader in genomic medicine.
Kathryn has contributed to healthcare policy through numerous government committees, bodies, and patient advocacy organisations, and provided strategic advice on a global and national level. She is one of Australia’s most influential clinician scientists, dedicated to driving Australian medical research towards real improvement in human health.
She serves on numerous Boards and peak bodies, including as Chair of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board, Chair of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UK) International Advisory Board, and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) (Canada). She has previously served on the Association of Medical Research Institutes Board (President, 2021-2023), Genomics Australia Expert Advisory Group (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Board (2015-2024), Genomics Health Futures Mission Expert Advisory Committee (2018-2021, 2024-2025), Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Council (2014-2025) and NHMRC Council and Research Committee (Chair, 2012-2018).
Over the last decade Kathryn has led the major national and global consortia focused on embedding genomic medicine into healthcare. She led a nationwide initiative, Australian Genomics, that prototyped a national approach to genomic medicine as frontline care. Based on the evidence generated by Australian Genomics, the Australia government established a new national government agency on 1st July 2025 to ensure that genomic medicine continues to be embedded within the national healthcare system to benefit all Australians.
In 2014, Kathryn was appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), a global network of over 500 organisations, and played a key role in shaping global standards for ethical and responsible sharing of genomic data. Since 2016 she has Co-Chaired the GA4GH National Initiatives Forum (NIF), fostering collaboration among 30+ national genomics programs with a focus on the implementation of genomics into healthcare systems at a national scale.
Her research excellence and contributions have been recognised through several awards and distinctions, including the GSK Australia Award for Research Excellence (2011) and the Peter Wills Medal (2019) in recognition of her long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in health and medical research.
In 2019 she was awarded one of Australia’s highest honours, Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia, in recognition of her eminent service to genomic medicine.
Kathryn trained as a paediatrician, neurologist and clinical geneticist, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Harvard Genetics Program and was awarded a doctorate for research in neurogenetics. She is recognised internationally for her exceptional scientific achievements, nationally for her contributions to policy and guiding strategic direction of the medical research sector and as a national and international leader in genomic medicine.
Kathryn has contributed to healthcare policy through numerous government committees, bodies, and patient advocacy organisations, and provided strategic advice on a global and national level. She is one of Australia’s most influential clinician scientists, dedicated to driving Australian medical research towards real improvement in human health.
She serves on numerous Boards and peak bodies, including as Chair of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board, Chair of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UK) International Advisory Board, and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) (Canada). She has previously served on the Association of Medical Research Institutes Board (President, 2021-2023), Genomics Australia Expert Advisory Group (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Board (2015-2024), Genomics Health Futures Mission Expert Advisory Committee (2018-2021, 2024-2025), Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Council (2014-2025) and NHMRC Council and Research Committee (Chair, 2012-2018).
Over the last decade Kathryn has led the major national and global consortia focused on embedding genomic medicine into healthcare. She led a nationwide initiative, Australian Genomics, that prototyped a national approach to genomic medicine as frontline care. Based on the evidence generated by Australian Genomics, the Australia government established a new national government agency on 1st July 2025 to ensure that genomic medicine continues to be embedded within the national healthcare system to benefit all Australians.
In 2014, Kathryn was appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), a global network of over 500 organisations, and played a key role in shaping global standards for ethical and responsible sharing of genomic data. Since 2016 she has Co-Chaired the GA4GH National Initiatives Forum (NIF), fostering collaboration among 30+ national genomics programs with a focus on the implementation of genomics into healthcare systems at a national scale.
Her research excellence and contributions have been recognised through several awards and distinctions, including the GSK Australia Award for Research Excellence (2011) and the Peter Wills Medal (2019) in recognition of her long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in health and medical research.
In 2019 she was awarded one of Australia’s highest honours, Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia, in recognition of her eminent service to genomic medicine.
Professor Kathryn North AC is Director of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at The University of Melbourne.
Kathryn trained as a paediatrician, neurologist and clinical geneticist,...
Kathryn trained as a paediatrician, neurologist and clinical geneticist,...
Professor Kathryn North AC is Director of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at The University of Melbourne.
Kathryn trained as a paediatrician, neurologist and clinical geneticist, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Harvard Genetics Program and was awarded a doctorate for research in neurogenetics. She is recognised internationally for her exceptional scientific achievements, nationally for her contributions to policy and guiding strategic direction of the medical research sector and as a national and international leader in genomic medicine.
Kathryn has contributed to healthcare policy through numerous government committees, bodies, and patient advocacy organisations, and provided strategic advice on a global and national level. She is one of Australia’s most influential clinician scientists, dedicated to driving Australian medical research towards real improvement in human health.
She serves on numerous Boards and peak bodies, including as Chair of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board, Chair of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UK) International Advisory Board, and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) (Canada). She has previously served on the Association of Medical Research Institutes Board (President, 2021-2023), Genomics Australia Expert Advisory Group (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Board (2015-2024), Genomics Health Futures Mission Expert Advisory Committee (2018-2021, 2024-2025), Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Council (2014-2025) and NHMRC Council and Research Committee (Chair, 2012-2018).
Over the last decade Kathryn has led the major national and global consortia focused on embedding genomic medicine into healthcare. She led a nationwide initiative, Australian Genomics, that prototyped a national approach to genomic medicine as frontline care. Based on the evidence generated by Australian Genomics, the Australia government established a new national government agency on 1st July 2025 to ensure that genomic medicine continues to be embedded within the national healthcare system to benefit all Australians.
In 2014, Kathryn was appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), a global network of over 500 organisations, and played a key role in shaping global standards for ethical and responsible sharing of genomic data. Since 2016 she has Co-Chaired the GA4GH National Initiatives Forum (NIF), fostering collaboration among 30+ national genomics programs with a focus on the implementation of genomics into healthcare systems at a national scale.
Her research excellence and contributions have been recognised through several awards and distinctions, including the GSK Australia Award for Research Excellence (2011) and the Peter Wills Medal (2019) in recognition of her long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in health and medical research.
In 2019 she was awarded one of Australia’s highest honours, Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia, in recognition of her eminent service to genomic medicine.
Kathryn trained as a paediatrician, neurologist and clinical geneticist, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Harvard Genetics Program and was awarded a doctorate for research in neurogenetics. She is recognised internationally for her exceptional scientific achievements, nationally for her contributions to policy and guiding strategic direction of the medical research sector and as a national and international leader in genomic medicine.
Kathryn has contributed to healthcare policy through numerous government committees, bodies, and patient advocacy organisations, and provided strategic advice on a global and national level. She is one of Australia’s most influential clinician scientists, dedicated to driving Australian medical research towards real improvement in human health.
She serves on numerous Boards and peak bodies, including as Chair of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board, Chair of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UK) International Advisory Board, and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) (Canada). She has previously served on the Association of Medical Research Institutes Board (President, 2021-2023), Genomics Australia Expert Advisory Group (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Board (2015-2024), Genomics Health Futures Mission Expert Advisory Committee (2018-2021, 2024-2025), Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Council (2014-2025) and NHMRC Council and Research Committee (Chair, 2012-2018).
Over the last decade Kathryn has led the major national and global consortia focused on embedding genomic medicine into healthcare. She led a nationwide initiative, Australian Genomics, that prototyped a national approach to genomic medicine as frontline care. Based on the evidence generated by Australian Genomics, the Australia government established a new national government agency on 1st July 2025 to ensure that genomic medicine continues to be embedded within the national healthcare system to benefit all Australians.
In 2014, Kathryn was appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), a global network of over 500 organisations, and played a key role in shaping global standards for ethical and responsible sharing of genomic data. Since 2016 she has Co-Chaired the GA4GH National Initiatives Forum (NIF), fostering collaboration among 30+ national genomics programs with a focus on the implementation of genomics into healthcare systems at a national scale.
Her research excellence and contributions have been recognised through several awards and distinctions, including the GSK Australia Award for Research Excellence (2011) and the Peter Wills Medal (2019) in recognition of her long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in health and medical research.
In 2019 she was awarded one of Australia’s highest honours, Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia, in recognition of her eminent service to genomic medicine.
Top Publications
- Pride, NA, Payne, JM, Haebich, K, Arnold, SS, Bournazos, A, Habib, J, Yates, C, Guzzetti, JR, Darke, H, Pascouau, R, et al. Sleep-wake dysregulation and altered melatonin in neurofibromatosis type 1.. Sleep 49(5) : 2026 view publication
- Haebich, KM, Hocking, DR, Darke, H, Mackenzie, R, North, KN, Vivanti, G, Payne, JM. Socially oriented attention in young children with neurofibromatosis type 1: An eye-tracking study.. Dev Med Child Neurol 68(4) : 541 -548 2026 view publication
- Mandal, AS, Shinohara, RT, Jung, B, Gardner, M, Akouri, HE, Yerys, BE, Low, KJ, Cole, TJ, Guthrie, W, Janke, KM, et al. NF1-Specific Growth Charts for Head Circumference Over the First 3 Years of Life.. Neurology 106(2) : e214480 2026 view publication
- Kiriaev, L, North, KN, Head, SI, Houweling, PJ. Twisting Paths: The Paradox of Fiber Branching in Muscle Regeneration.. Int J Mol Sci 27(2) : 2026 view publication
- Kiriaev, L, Oakhill, JS, Tiong, CF, Seto, JT, Crossman, VG, Quinlan, KGR, North, KN, Houweling, PJ, Ling, NXY. Modern Insights into Muscle Glycogen Phosphorylase Activity. 2026 view publication
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