Our people

It is with great sadness we announce the recent passing of our Founding Director, Emeritus Professor Byron Kakulas AO, 1932 - 2023.

Emeritus Professor Byron A Kakulas AO, graduated in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 1956.  After residency training at Royal Perth Hospital he specialised in clinical neurology.

In 1967 he founded the Muscular Dystrophy Association of WA and soon after the Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute becoming the Medical Director of both, posts he held until 2010. In 1971 he was appointed Professor of Neuropathology, UWA, Dean of Medicine in 1978 and an Emeritus Professor in 2006.

He received many honours and awards including Officer of the Order of Australia, an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Athens, the Gaetano Conte Prize of the Naples Conte Academy and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Federation of Neurology. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary.

Read more about his research here.

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia on 15 July 2022.
The Dawson family have been part of the early colonial settlers over five generations of farming and law enforcement. The Governor's great-great-grandparents arrived in the then Swan River colony in Western Australia in 1830.

Christopher John Dawson APM was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Western Australia Police Force in 1976, going on to provide 46 years of service in Australian law enforcement.

He served in country and metropolitan positions, criminal investigation, training and senior roles. The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2002 saw him awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service.

After 10 years as Deputy Commissioner, he left WA for a national role in Canberra between 2014 to 2017 as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission, amalgamating several agencies into the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. He also served as Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology during this period.

He was appointed Commissioner of the Western Australia Police Force in August 2017, serving until July 2022. During the period of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Commissioner Dawson coordinated the State of Emergency and the Vaccine program.

Governor Dawson was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List for eminent service to public Administration through law enforcement roles, to reconciliation and as the 34th Governor appointed in Western Australia.

He is married to Darrilyn Dawson, Education Consultant, with two married children and five grandchildren.

Coming from a long line of farming families in the South West of WA, Mrs Darrilyn Dawson is a passionate supporter of the diverse contributions the country sector makes to our state.

With over 40 years experience in the education sector, Mrs Dawson has taught in government and private schools in both country and metropolitan areas.

Mrs Dawson has held a variety of roles throughout her career, including classroom teaching and as a Deputy Principal, and Principal in numerous primary schools. A career highlight was securing a job-share Principal role, which was successful over a number of years in several large primary schools. This innovative and successful partnership was acknowledged when Mrs Dawson and her job share Principal were awarded the statewide Equal Opportunity Award by the Department of Education and Training.

Mrs Dawson has served on several government school Boards. She is an Education Consultant, providing leadership training and mentoring, and is regularly involved in school selection panels, appointing educational leaders. Mrs Dawson is a Board and Committee member of two independent colleges and enjoys supporting them as they educate and grow our future leaders. She is passionate about early intervention at every opportunity and providing all children with the foundations to be their very best in whatever they aspire to do or be.

The Governor and Mrs Dawson have always supported each other in their respective career choices and aspirations. Mrs Dawson is looking forward to spending more time with her husband as they work together promoting Western Australia, as well as acknowledging the many wonderful people in our community.

When they are not working, Mrs Dawson and the Governor enjoy spending time with their two married children and their spouses, and five delightful grandchildren.

Mrs Dawson holds a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma of Teaching.

Professor Lyn Beazley AO FTSE is a well known neuroscientist and educator. Professor Beazley was Western Australia’s Chief Scientist from 2011-2013. In 2009, Professor Beazley was both appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

In November 2018, it was with deeply held sadness that the institute acknowledged the sad passing of Mr Stan Perron AC, our generous benefactor, inspiring Patron and wonderful friend.

Rob McKenzie was appointed as new Board Chair recently with Professor Alan Robson stepping down as Chair after 5 years.

Mr McKenzie is co-managing partner of McKenzie Moncrieff and counsel at Blackwall Legal LLP, practising in corporate, commercial and dispute resolution areas. With over 40 years’ experience, his focus is on corporate governance, structuring and fundraising, business reorganisations and reconstructions.

Mr McKenzie’s experience spans a wide range of industries such as financial services, health, science, technology, education, professional services, mining, retail and agriculture.

​He was a partner of major national law firm, Clayton Utz and its predecessor firms for 22 years, and a partner and board member of WA law firm Jackson McDonald.

The Perron Institute’s newest Director, Emeritus Professor John Finlay-Jones has a background in clinical microbiology and immunology. He also made a significant contribution in chairing and committee roles for several medical research organisations in Western Australia and nationally.

Professor Finlay-Jones, a PhD graduate from The University of Western Australia, was based at Flinders University for 25 years, including as Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in the School of Medicine from 1997, and Head of the Faculty of Health Sciences from 1998-2003.

He is a former Assistant Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in WA and served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Edith Cowan University from 2003-2018.

Professor Finlay-Jones has previously served on committees of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases.

Since 2003, he has chaired the Scientific Advisory Committee of The Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research and he has been a member or Chair of the Advisory Board of the Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training at UWA since 2014.

In 2020, he was appointed to the Australian Research Integrity Committee, a joint initiative of NHMRC and the Australian Research Council, and to the Research Sub Committee of the WA Child Research Fund (Channel 7 Telethon Trust and WA Government).

Professor Finlay-Jones is a pro bono mentor for Research Coaching Australia and an external member of the UWA Hockey Club Board.

With 40 years of experience in government and the private sector, Steve Arnott – the Perron Institute’s CEO – brings to the Board considerable skills in strategic management, financial and accounting management, and policy development.
Steve has held positions on Government Statutory Authorities and on Western Australian Government Industry Development Agencies where his role was to facilitate industry development across a range of industries in Western Australia. Dealing with the highest levels of private enterprise and government, Steve was instrumental in securing significant investment in value-adding and service-based industries in Western Australia and played a crucial role in infrastructure development and research commercialisation.

Ian Green is a successful businessman through his involvement in the development and management of Gull Petroleum in both Australia and New Zealand.
Ian is widely known and respected in Perth and the sale of Gull has provided an opportunity for him to be involved in additional activities. Ian has an extensive financial and management background, is currently Chair of Connolly & Associates and is on the Board of Management of the Maurice Zeffert Home for the Aged. Ian’s strong management, business and financial skills are an asset to the Perron Institute Board. Ian is Chair of the Finance Committee.

Torsten Ketelsen OAM brings a wealth of experience to the Perron Institute. Mr Ketelsen is a former Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Western Australia and is Managing Partner of Ketelsen Enterprise Pty Ltd and Founder and Non-Executive Director of GMA Garnet Group. Torsten serves on the Board of Governors of the WA Museum Foundation and has served as President and Patron of various associations, a past member of the West Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, International Trade Service Committee and he has also won several awards. In June 2018 Torsten received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Australia-Germany relations, to business and to the community. In 2016, Torsten received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 2015 the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Industry) business award. Over the years, Torsten has received numerous accolades including the Ernst & Young 2008 Australian Entrepreneur of the Year (Technology & New Industries), 2007 Australian Export Award, 2006 International Business Council Award, 1990 West Australian Export Award and 1989 West Australian Export Award. Torsten is also Chair of the Fundraising Committee.

Jo Wilkie brings a wealth of experience to the Perron Institute Board in the areas of community development, family services, social justice and human rights. In Jo’s most recent role as Grants Manager at Lotterywest, she was responsible for grants in the areas of medical and social research, community legal services, community broadcasting, homelessness and Big Ideas. Prior to joining Lotterywest almost two decades ago, Jo worked in the not-for-profit sector for 20 years including at Centrecare, the YMCA and Anglicare. During this time she was a member of a number of Ministerial Advisory Committees and Government Taskforces and was the founding Chair of the Youth Legal Service now in its 31st year. Jo brings a creative and strategic approach to the operations and governance of organisations and is a strong advocate for collaboration and cooperation to achieve maximum community benefit. She is committed to a Western Australian medical research sector that delivers cutting-edge discoveries and world-class health benefits for all.

Dr James Williams has broad experience covering executive and non-executive management of public and private companies; establishment, resourcing and financing of start-up companies; and hands-on research in molecular and cell biology.
As a co-founder and Investment Director of Yuuwa Capital LP, a $40 million VC fund set up under the Australian Government’s Innovation Investment Fund program, Dr Williams has an active involvement in all investment-related activities. Yuuwa is not currently making new investments and is focused on growing its portfolio companies towards exits. Additional active portfolio companies include iCetana Ltd (ASX:ICE), AgWorld Pty Ltd, Nexgen Plants Pty Ltd and Fitgenes Ltd.

Dr Williams has been CEO of private and listed medical device companies Argus Biomedical Pty Ltd and Resonance Health Ltd (spin-out companies from the Lions Eye Institute and UWA respectively), and in both, oversaw regulatory approvals and market launch of first products. He conceived the technology behind drug delivery company iCeutica and held various executive and non-executive roles until its sale. To date, three drugs have been approved by the FDA on the basis of the iCeutica technology. He is the former CEO and remains Chairman of ASX-listed Dimerix Limited, an ASX-listed drug discovery company with Phase 2 clinical trials in chronic kidney disease.

He is a former Director of Linear Clinical Research Ltd, an early-stage clinical trials unit based in Perth. He has also been a Director and Interim-CEO of a boutique distillery.

Prior to becoming involved in technology commercialisation, Dr Williams was Senior Research Officer at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research where he researched the molecular and cellular biology of cancer. He has numerous publications in leading international journals and is named as inventor on patents covering a range of disciplines that are being prosecuted as part of Australian and US companies’ technology portfolios.
Dr Williams completed his Honours Degree in Biochemistry at Aberdeen University, Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Melbourne, and Masters of Business Administration at the University of Western Australia.

Professor Steve Wilton AO is the Director of the Perron Institute, Foundation Chair of Molecular Therapy at Murdoch University and Director of Murdoch University’s Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (CMMIT). In collaboration with Professor Sue Fletcher, Professor Wilton has pioneered the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) to overcome some of the most common dystrophin gene defects causing Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Over a research journey spanning more than two decades, the Molecular Therapy Laboratory took the idea of using AOs to treat DMD from the laboratory to clinical application, through a partnership with the US pharmaceutical company, Sarepta Therapeutics (Cambridge, Ma). Three drugs for DMD have now been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are relevant to nearly 30% of the DMD population. With co-leader Dr May Aung-Htut at Murdoch University, the Molecular Therapy laboratory is exploring therapeutic interventions for more than 50 different inherited and acquired conditions affecting human health. Professor Wilton has received multiple awards for his research on DMD and other diseases, including the Eureka Prize for Medical Research Translation, the Western Australian Innovator of the Year award and Officer of the Order of Australia.

Dr Travis Cruickshank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University.
Dr Cruickshank is growing links between his research on the design and delivery of treatments for people with neurological disorders, particularly Huntington’s disease, with the institute’s growing research in the field of restorative neurology.

Professor Graeme Hankey has been appointed the inaugural Perron Institute Chair in Stroke Research at The University of Western Australia (UWA), a vital step towards establishing a Stroke Centre of Excellence, starting January 2023.

A medical graduate of the University of Western Australia with training in neurology at the Royal Perth Hospital, Mayo Clinic and Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Graeme Hankey is Winthrop Professor of Neurology in the UWA School of Medicine and Pharmacology and Consultant Neurologist at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Graeme’s main research interests focus on epidemiological studies and clinical trials of treatment strategies for acute stroke and stroke prevention. He has been principal investigator on a number of international studies and has approaching 700 scientific publications. With an h-index of 88, Graeme is one of Australia’s most highly cited neurology researchers.

A graduate of the University of Cambridge and the Australian National University, Alan Harvey is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Human Sciences at The University of Western Australia.
Formerly a member of the Board of the Neurological Council of Western Australia, Professor Harvey is one of Western Australia’s leading neuroscience researchers with over 200 major publications and a history of significant funding from the NHMRC and other funding agencies. The winner of awards for both teaching and postgraduate supervision, Alan has supervised over 30 PhD students, many of whom have gone onto highly successful research careers, in the USA, Europe and China. His book, “Music, Evolution and the Harmony of Souls” was published by Oxford University Press. Professor Harvey is a Perron Institute Honorary Senior Research Fellow.

Associate Professor Julian Heng is a recent appointment at Curtin University as a Group Leader at the Curtin Neuroscience Laboratories based in the Ralph & Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Institute building in close proximity to the institute. His research on how gene mutations affect neural circuits in the brain and lead to human mental disorders, such as epilepsy and intellectual disability, has close links to the institute’s research in the fields of genetics and neurotrauma.

Professor Elaine Holmes is a Premier’s Fellow in Phenomics and Professor of Computational Science at Murdoch University.
Professor Holmes arrived in Perth from Imperial College in London in 2019. She will play a key role in the Australian National Phenome Centre at Murdoch. A computational biologist by background, Professor Holmes has over 20 years experience in metabolomic technology and its applications. Her focus is on the discovery and development of metabolomic biomarkers of disease in personalised healthcare and population studies. Her current interests include the role of the gut microbiome in neuropathology.

Associate Professor Livia Hool, Head of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology Laboratory, School of Anatomy Physiology and Human Biology, at The University of Western Australia.
Associate Professor Hool has long-standing research links with Professors Sue Fletcher and Steve Wilton of Molecular Therapies, focusing on the cardiac complications associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Emeritus Professor Ian James was previously Professor of Mathematics and Biostatistics at Murdoch University and is one of Australia’s leading biostatisticians.
He has a long history of collaboration with the Perron Institute going back to 2006. His contributions have been such that he has been a co-author on close to 20 of the institute’s publications over the past 14 years. His advice has also been invaluable during the planning and setting-up phase of new research studies and PhD projects and this role will continue and potentially expand with Ian James as a Senior Honorary Research Fellow.

Yvonne Learmonth is a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Exercise Science at Murdoch University and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, and the Centre for Healthy Ageing within the Health Futures Institute. Further, she is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science.

She is an accredited physiotherapist in both Australia and the UK. Yvonne teaches topics in physical rehabilitation to undergraduate and postgraduate allied healthcare students and clinicians. Her research focuses on the promotion and outcomes associated with physical activity and exercise in persons with neurological conditions.

Professor Norman Palmer is a biochemist by background.  He was formerly a Perron Institute Board Director and Director of Special Projects. Professor Palmer was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at James Cook University in northern Queensland, having worked previously at the University of Western Australia, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School (University of London). Norman has served on numerous company boards and committees, including those of several Cooperative Research Centres, as well as other research centres and consortia. Professor Palmer’s extensive experience in research and academia greatly benefits the strategic development and focus of the Perron Institute.

Wife of the Perron Institute’s Director, Professor Steve Wilton AO, Sandy has played a critical role in strengthening and coordinating the links between the Perron Institute and the neuromuscular disease community in Western Australia and worldwide. As the Perron Institute’s Ambassador for Neuromuscular Disorders, Sandy continues to fulfil a vital function in facilitating links and cooperation between the Institute and patients, not-for-profit organisations, industry and research institutions and collaborators worldwide. Through Sandy’s efforts, the Perron Institute has strong and growing links with Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia and Rare Voices Australia and through these organisations with patients with neuromuscular disorders and their families. Sandy is particularly active in coordinating and managing hospitality for visiting scientists, industry collaborators and dignitaries and for promoting the profile of the institute.