The University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Dan Johnson to the new role of Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Innovation, commencing on 1 February 2020.

Professor Johnson has been the Managing Director of The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), one of the world’s most highly regarded agricultural research institutions, since 2011. He has worked in research leadership, technology transfer and innovation for nearly 20 years and been instrumental in driving various initiatives in the agricultural research, development, extension, technology transfer and innovation communities in Australia.

Professor Johnson has also been closely involved in the scientific disciplines of genomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, systems biology and synthetic biology and their application to agricultural industries. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Flinders University and an MBA from The University of Adelaide, and has been directly involved in raising and/or administering >$200 million for research institutes, start-up companies and venture capital firms and has been directly involved in establishing nine biotechnology start-up companies, one of which was formed with his doctoral research collaborators to commercialise his doctoral research outcomes.

“The PVC Research Innovation will provide strategic leadership on all matters relating to research and development, innovation, translation and commercialisation,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorius. “Professor Johnson comes to Macquarie with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the key strategic issues and opportunities in the national and global research development and commercialisation space.

“He also has a strong track record as an effective leader who has both academic research and entrepreneurial commercial realisation skills and proven strategic planning experience, particularly in the development of commercial partnerships in the context of academic research and development. We’re delighted to have him on board to drive out the next phase of our research strategy.”

Professor Johnson said: “Macquarie has a strong reputation in research and in the translation of that research. I’m delighted to be joining the team supporting the University to continue its efforts to achieve research excellence with local, national and global impact.