Professor John Chalmers AC

John Chalmers has an outstanding record in hypertension research, both fundamental and clinical. His groundbreaking research on the role of the brain in the development of hypertension led to his election to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science and helped establish Flinders University as a leading international centre in hypertension and neuroscience research.

His studies on the treatment of high blood pressure for the prevention of heart attack and stroke have changed the way patients are treated throughout the world. His work has been recognised through many awards including the Wellcome Medal, the RT Hall Prize of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, The Zanchetti Lifetime Achievement Award of the European Society of Hypertension and the Volhard Medal of the International Society of Hypertension.

He has been President or Chairman of the Australian Society of Medical Research, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the WHO Expert Committee on Hypertension, the International Society of Hypertension and the Scientific Advisory Board of the World Heart Federation.

Professor Chalmers' contribution to medical science has been acknowledged through the award of many Honorary Doctoral degrees and extensive appointments on national and international boards and advisory committees. He was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) in 1991 and an Officer in the National Order of Merit of France in 2010.

John Chalmers remains an active researcher at The George Institute Australia, where he is a principal investigator on many research grants and Chair of steering committees for major studies, mentors young clinical researchers from around the world, and continues to publish and lecture prolifically.