Professor Mark Morrison

International expert to lead gastrointestinal health research

International microbiology expert Professor Mark Morrison (pictured right) will work with the Preventative Health National Research Flagship in developing its work in gut health.

Drawing on more than 18 years of research experience in microbial physiology and genomics, Prof Morrison will assist Preventative Health as Science Leader in scoping a program in colonic bacteria/host interactions within the Flagship.

He brings cutting edge experience in genomics of gut bacteria to complement CSIRO's existing strengths in microbiology and other research activities in targeting gut function and health.

Preventative Health Flagship Director, Dr Richard Head, says Professor Morrison has an unique capability and role within CSIRO, and his expertise will greatly assist the Organisation's research program being carried out in the Flagship.

"We appreciate the support we have received from CSIRO Livestock Industries and its Chief Dr Chris Prideaux is supporting this initiative," says Dr Head.

"One of Prof Morrison's roles will be to understand our organisational-wide capacities. He will be visiting numerous Divisions to better identify our abilities in this area, and we ask if Divisions could extend to him any assistance in this area."

Prof Morrison says host-microbe associations are highly relevant to the function and well-being of all living organisms.

"Technological advances in Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science also provide new opportunities to understand these relationships in a holistic and mechanistic way," he says.

"Through Richard's leadership, the Preventative Health Flagship's commitment to target gastrointestinal health and obesity provides CSIRO a great opportunity to bring together its expertise in these fields, and emerge as a world-leader in hypothesis-driven, systems biology research addressing two of the major health concerns affecting the future of our society. I am really excited to be part of the process of bringing this vision to fruition for the Flagship and CSIRO."

Professor Morrison was attracted back to Australia this year to join the CSIRO as CEO Science Leader in Metagenomics, after spending the past 20 years in the United States. He retains his position as Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University.

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Meet Professor
Mark Morrison

The Preventative Health Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.

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