New leadership at The Ritchie Centre

Leadership can take many forms. Some lead by their actions and the example they set; others by creating new and better ways of doing things. The most successful are those whose leadership enables those around them to lead.

Professor Suzanne Miller ticks all the boxes while, most importantly, providing hope to parents of our most vulnerable babies.

She established her credentials over many years as a leading researcher in the field of fetal and neonatal physiology and brain injury, working to prevent and treat the neurodevelopmental disorders that can have lifelong effects.

her groundbreaking work on targeted neuroprotective treatments for fetal and neonatal brain injury. Further confirmation of her talents came when she was appointed to lead The Ritchie Centre.

It is in this role where she is using her experience to guide and mentor the medical research pioneers of the future.

“The developing brain is fascinating. The fetal brain is exquisitely sensitive to the inutero environment. We are still learning how compromise during pregnancy affects the baby’s brain development and long-term neurological outcomes.”

Suzanne Miller

Professor

One of her projects has now progressed to the world-first PROTECT Me Trial, using melatonin to combat the effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR) – a major cause of cardiovascular disease, lung and brain injury in the newborn, as well as contributing to the ongoing development of cerebral palsy, autism, learning and other behavioural dysfunctions.

In 2022, Prof Miller added an NHMRC Investigator Grant to her impressive list of achievements – receiving more than $2.3 million over five years to continue

“I have been lucky to work both directly and indirectly with really clever and enthusiastic researchers and clinicians who have provided mentoring and research guidance,” she said.

“I hope that can now pass on some of what I have learned to provide mentorship and support to the next generation of researchers.

“At the end of my research career, I would be really chuffed if I could say there are fewer children with cerebral palsy or learning disabilities because of new preventions and treatments my team has developed for neonatal brain injury.”

Collaborators Monash Health; Monash University

Funders Cerebral Palsy Alliance; Inner Wheel Australia; NHMRC