Professor Norbert Berend

How long have you been working at The George Institute/George Clinical? 2½ years

What attracted you to working at The George Institute/George Clinical? The job is focused on research with little or no administration

What are you currently working on? Studies in COPD

What is a recent highlight? Success with a large NHMRC grant being done in China

What difference will this make to healthcare and why? A positive outcome of the study will enable access to affordable treatment for COPD patients in developing countries.

What is your professional background? Respiratory Physician and clinical physiologist

Why do you enjoy working at The George Institute/George Clinical? I have the opportunity to perform studies which really matter and have a big impact

To explain to people what I do I say…. I explore ways to use lung function tests to diagnose and manage patients and I design studies to help people with chronic lung disease

I work at The George Institute/ George Clinical because…..There are many doctors, scientists and healthcare professionals at TGI and GC who share a vision for improving global health and addressing major health issues.

To unwind at the end of the day I….work on my property, sail and read

My first job was…lifesaver (I used to swim competitively as a youngster), clinical assistant in an emergency department .

My biggest achievement so far…1. Contented family life. 2. Achieving a new building for the Woolcock Institute of which I was Executive Director for 12 years before joining the George.3. Still getting excited about addressing major research questions after 40 years in the game.