Curtin University has appointed Professor Carlo Marra as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health Sciences.
Professor Marra brings an extensive background in health research and academic leadership to Curtin.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Professor Marra went on to complete his PhD in health economics and epidemiology.
While advancing in leadership roles at UBC and Memorial University of Newfoundland, Professor Marra has maintained an intensive research program focusing on health economics, patient preferences and pharmacy education.
For the past seven years he has worked in New Zealand as Professor and Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Otago.
Professor Marra said he was excited to join a world-class, global university such as Curtin, where students, researchers and teachers have a vast array of opportunities to grow and learn.
“With such an abundance of resources and programs, Curtin’s Faculty of Health Sciences is well placed to lead in many areas, including interprofessional education, rural health and international partnerships through Curtin’s well-developed global campuses,” he said.
“In addition, I hope to help increase our commitment to Iindigenous health by improving our educational offerings to impart cultural competency in our health professional and biomedical graduates and improve First Nations representation in terms of student and faculty recruitment.
“There seem to be myriad opportunities to build on research excellence through diversification of funding and forging strategic partnerships with government, health care systems and industry.”
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor congratulated Professor Marra on his appointment and said she was thrilled to welcome him to Curtin.
“Professor Marra brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from universities across the globe and I’m confident he will continue the excellent teaching and research efforts the Faculty of Health Sciences is renowned for.”
Professor Marra succeeds who had returned to Curtin as Interim PVC Health, and who Professor Hayne said had contributed greatly to the University.
“The Faculty of Health Sciences is all the stronger for Professor McCutcheon’s leadership and we wish her every happiness in her retirement,” Professor Hayne said.