Director of Research appointed at LGH

Professor Nicholas Shackel.

Congratulations to Professor Nicholas Shackel, who has been appointed the Director of Research for Hospitals North and North-West.

As Director of Research, Professor Shackel will help lead the establishment of a Research and Innovation Centre at the Launceston General Hospital.

The role comes after many years of strategic planning by the Clifford Craig Foundation, for the betterment of research governance in North and North-West Tasmania, and represents an exciting new chapter for research excellence in our state.

A new role within the Department of Health, the Director of Research will work with internal and external partners, research bodies and clinicians to progress the shared vision and goals for research practice, development and translation within Tasmania.

This includes fostering research education, training and mentoring in Hospital’s North and North-West, building research capacity and greater research collaboration within Tasmania and interstate research organisations, and overseeing improved participation in clinical research.

A gastroenterologist at the Launceston General Hospital, Professor Shackel is a passionate advocate for translational medical research and advancing clinical education.

He has played a pivotal role in leading the Clifford Craig Foundation’s Introduction to Research Course and scholarship opportunities.

The Research and Innovation Centre will be established on Level 1 of the Northern Integrated Care Services (NICS) building on the LGH campus, with a joint funding commitment from the state and federal governments.

It is expected to significantly enhance Tasmania’s capacity to recruit skilled medical professionals, attract further research dollars to the state and provide translational solutions to the health issues faced by our regional communities.