Centenary Institute announces new Executive Director – a coup to recruit a shining star from Melbourne’s WEHI

Professor Pellegrini is currently Head of the Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division at the iconic WEHI in Melbourne, an institution with whom the Centenary has collaborated for many years.

After a thorough and very competitive externally managed global search process, the Centenary Institute appointed Professor Pellegrini due to his scientific skills, his leadership experience and his proven ability to lead the Centenary in the next phase of its growth. This will include the Institute’s participation in the ground-breaking Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) at Camperdown, with the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) and the University of Sydney.

Concurrently with his appointment at Centenary, Professor Pellegrini has been appointed as a Professor at the University of Sydney where his expertise in infectious disease has been welcomed by Sydney ID – one of the University’s flagship research centres run in partnership with the SLHD and the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

Professor Pellegrini said he was thrilled to be taking on the new role.

“It’s an immense honour and privilege to be taking on the position of Executive Director at such a well-regarded organisation as the Centenary Institute. It’s one of Australia’s leading independent medical research institutes and is particularly well known for its research efforts in the critical areas of cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Pellegrini.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of Centenary’s future and helping the Institute continue its fantastic work in unlocking our knowledge of complex diseases. The SBA presents the Centenary with a unique opportunity for improved impact and provides an avenue to attract wonderful donors and excellent, curious scientists. I was drawn to the possibilities which the Centenary provides for discovery, growth and scientific excellence, working alongside the innovative SBA.”

The Chair of the Centenary Institute Board, Joseph Carrozzi AM welcomed the appointment of Professor Pellegrini into the role. 

“We are delighted to appoint Professor Pellegrini as the new Executive Director at Centenary. His move from the celebrated WEHI in Melbourne is a strong endorsement of Centenary’s excellence. It is also a coup for NSW, as the Institute looks to benefit from the massive investment in the new SBA precinct – we can look positively to grow and to attract eminent researchers in the quest to improve discoveries in this highly competitive field of medical research,” said Mr Carrozzi.         

“Professor Pellegrini’s background and experience is well known, as is his effectiveness in leading major collaborations in researching complex disease. The Nominations Committee was impressed with his appetite for growth and his innovative thinking.”

The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Professor Robyn Ward AM at the University of Sydney commented that Professor Pellegrini’s appointment was welcomed by infectious disease researchers and clinicians in NSW further strengthening impact in this area.

Mr Carrozzi gave special thanks to the outgoing Centenary Executive Director, Professor Mathew Vadas AO, who will be stepping down after sixteen years in the role.

“We wish Professor Vadas the very best as he vacates his leadership role after so many years of committed service. Under his guidance, the Centenary Institute has grown and prospered significantly and we have a reputation for excellence which is due to his efforts and those of the Faculty.”

Mr Carrozzi said that Professor Vadas would continue to support the Centenary in undertaking his essential research at the Institute focused on understanding the ageing processes of blood vessels and their impact on the development of disease.

Professor Pellegrini will formally start as Centenary Institute Executive Director March 1^st 2023.