Professor David Hunter, a world leader in cancer prevention research, will provide his perspective on the changing nature of medical practice at the annual John Irvine Hunter Memorial Lecture tomorrow night.
Being held for the first time, the Lecture will also launch the inaugural Royal Newcastle Hospital (RNH) Memorial Fellowship.
Australian born, Professor Hunter is currently the Vincent L. Gregory Professor in Cancer Prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health and Director of the School’s Program in Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology.
Focussing on the question of whether genes forecast medical history, the public lecture will consider how genetics will change the practice of medicine.
Professor Hunter has published over 500 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited two books on aspects of cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention.
The annual lecture is dedicated to the memory of John Irvine Hunter - the Challis Professor of Anatomy at the University of Sydney who was at the forefront of anatomy research and education until his untimely death in 1924 aged just 26. He is also the grandfather of Professor David Hunter.
Dr John Irvine Hunter was one of the best known Australian medical researchers of his time and is one of the namesakes of the John Hunter Hospital.
The annual lecture was established in 1998, funded through a donation by his son, Dr Irvine Hunter, to the University of Newcastle. The lecture is also supported by Hunter New England Health.
The RNH Memorial Fellowship is designed to commemorate the values and achievements of the old Royal Newcastle Hospital and recognises the contributions it made to the region.
The annual Fellowship is awarded to a scholar for innovative and outstanding performance in health and clinical achievement.
Professor David Hunter is the first recipient of the RNH Memorial Fellowship.
The free public lecture will be held Wednesday 20 August from 6pm to 8pm at the Royal Newcastle Centre Lecture Theatre, John Hunter Hospital.
Media are welcome however please indicate your intention to attend to ensure seating as space is limited.
Professor David Hunter is available for interview by today by contacting Blythe Hamilton(Tuesday 19 August).
