Professor Chris Parish

Professor Parish is Head of the Division of Immunology and Genetics of The John Curtin School of Medical Research at The Australian National University. He is a member of numerous scientific societies, consultant to a number of Australian Biotechnology companies, and his expertise is frequently sought as reviewer and assessor for journals and granting agencies, both locally and internationally.

During his 30 year research career, Professor Parish has made important contributions to the study of immunity, and in particular the phenomenon of ‘immune deviation’ - which describes the antagonistic relationship between antibody-mediated, and cell-mediated immunity. He has also made a major contribution to the development of novel therapeutic anti-cancer agents through his investigation of the role of heparan sulfate, an anionic carbohydrate, in cell migration and invasion. These studies have led to the development of the anti-cancer drug PI-88, which is currently undergoing successful Phase II trials in human cancer patients.

Professor Parish has an outstanding vision for developing commercial outcomes of his research, as evidenced by 19 successful patent applications over the past 15 years.  Four Biotechnology companies have been built up with the assistance of Professor Parish and his research programmes, and they are already providing great benefit to human health.