MedConnect | Rare disease: uniting genetics and breakthrough medicine
On November 16, UNSW Medicine & Health hosted MedConnect | Rare disease: uniting genetics and breakthrough medicine. Our panel of experts shared insights into the field of rare disease, showing what is being done to revolutionise diagnosis and increase access to treatment.
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Tegan Taylor (host), health and science reporter for the ABC and co-host of the ABC’s multi-award-winning Coronacast.
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Associate Professor Michelle Farrar, child neurologist and clinical academic at UNSW Medicine & Health and Sydney Children's Hospital.
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Nicole Millis, CEO of Rare Voices Australia, the peak body for Australians living with rare diseases.
We look forward to welcoming you to our MedConnect events in 2023. Details will be available closer to the time on the UNSW Medicine & Health website and social media pages.
Associate Professor Michelle Farrar
Associate Professor Michelle Farrar is a child neurologist and clinical academic at UNSW Sydney and Sydney Children’s Hospital. A/Prof Farrar leads a comprehensive, integrated and multidisciplinary research program that guides evidence-based application of novel therapeutics in neuromuscular disorders.
Her innovative approach to spinal muscular atrophy, a previously untreatable disease that paralysed babies, has tailored health care to the individual with the translation of several gene and molecular therapies to transform health outcomes. Michelle continues to focus on improving care and accelerating biomedical research to provide clinicians with the tools, knowledge and therapies to select which treatments will work best for which patient.
Nicole Millis
Nicole Millis is the CEO of Rare Voices Australia. A qualified social worker, Nicole has both personal and professional experience in the rare disease sector and has over 12 years’ experience in rare disease advocacy, particularly regarding access to treatments.
Under Nicole’s guidance, Rare Voices Australia led the collaborative development of the National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases, the first nationally coordinated effort to address rare diseases in Australia.