EXECUTIVE TEAM

PROFESSOR Scott Bell

Chief Executive Officer 

Professor Bell is a leading clinician and researcher in Cystic Fibrosis (CF).  He recently co-led the development of a new global blueprint for the care of people with the fatal genetic disorder. His work will help the 3500 Australians with the incurable condition to live decades longer. Professor Bell has over 250 peer reviewed publications and has received grant support in excess of $22 million over the past 10 years.  He is a Senior Thoracic Physician at the Prince Charles Hospital and Editor-in Chief of the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis.  Prior to his appointment as TRI CEO, Professor Bell was the Executive Director of Research at Metro North Health and the head of QIMR Berghofer’s Lung Bacteria laboratory.

Associate Professor Helen Benham

Executive Director, Research and Clinical Translation 

Associate Professor Helen Benham is an experienced rheumatologist who divides her time between clinical practice at the PA Hospital and translational research into rheumatic diseases. She is a senior lecturer with The University of Queensland and a previous NHMRC Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellow. Helen has experience in clinical trials and applying the principles of implementation science to her clinical field. Currently she is a Board Member of Metro South Hospital and Health Service, the Princess Alexandra Hospital Research Foundation and is Chair of Arthritis Queensland. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Hons), Bachelor of Applied Science (Podiatry), a PhD from The University of Queensland; and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Michelle Richards

Executive Director, Innovation and
Commercial Partnerships

Michelle commenced as Director of Building Operations at TRI in 2016.
After completing a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate diploma in Cardiovascular Medicine, Michelle worked for more than 10 years in Australia and the UK in medical research, gaining a broad foundation in areas including molecular biology, immunology, developmental biology and clinical trials.  Since then her focus has been on all areas of operational leadership at TRI, including space management, capacity planning, clinical trial facility development, and setting-up commercial and operational relationships with start-ups and incubator companies located on site.  

Karen Murphy

Chief Operating Officer

Karen Murphy is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at TRI. The COO oversees the Finance, ICT, Legal, HR, Communications and Marketing, Building Services, Facilities, and Workplace Health and Safety functions, and Chairs the Executive Leadership Team and the OneTRI Shared Operations Committee. Karen has an extensive background in executive leadership roles across the private, publicly listed, government and not-for-profit sectors. She has more than 20 years’ experience working in the allied health and medical-related fields. Among Karen’s key past appointments are the CEO of the Emergency Medicine Foundation, the CEO of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the CEO of the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority. She is currently a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service. Karen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA with distinction.

Melissa Watter

Director – Corporate Affairs and Marketing

Melissa Watter joined TRI in April 2023 as Director of Corporate Affairs after two decades as co-Founder and Director of a strategic marketing and communications firm.
She holds a journalism degree and prior to her move into corporate communications, was a political reporter across print and broadcast media, working in senior roles with the Seven and Ten networks. A trusted advisor, Melissa has shared her expertise as a committee member and volunteer Board Director for non-profit and community organisations.
During her professional career she has spearheaded national public awareness and education campaigns; helped deliver large scale events; worked closely with scientists, clinicians and researchers to translate complex information to a broad audience; and helped to bring staff and stakeholders along on important journeys of organisational change. An advocate for compelling organisational storytelling, Melissa and her team are committed to showcasing the incredible collaborations within TRI.

Kirsten Kiel-Chisholm

Director - Legal Services

Kirsten commenced at TRI in July 2009 and is an experienced General Counsel and Company Secretary.  As Director of Legal Services, Kirsten is responsible for managing the Institute’s legal requirements and providing legal advice to the Board and management across a range of areas. She also oversees human resources and compliance for the Institute.  
Kirsten previously worked as General Counsel and Company Secretary for the CRC for Sustainable Tourism.  Prior to that she was a corporate lawyer in private practice in both Australia and the United States and co-authored three publications on compliance with ASX and APRA corporate governance requirements.  She holds degrees in Law (First Class Hons) and International Business Relations as well as having a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance.  She is In-House Counsel Certified by the Association of Corporate Counsel and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.   

Simon Preston

Director - Finance

Simon is a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience across multiple sectors. He started his career working in external audit, including five years with the major international accounting and auditing firm, Ernst & Young. Simon then moved into commerce, taking on the role of Head of Group Finance at Virgin Care, one of the largest private providers to the UK’s National Health Service.

In 2016, he joined global contract recruitment specialists Fircroft Group as Director of Group Finance. Simon relocated to Brisbane in 2019 to take up the role of Finance Director of Fircroft’s Australasian operations, before returning to professional services in 2020 as a Financial Management Consultant with BDO. During his time at BDO, Simon served as TRI’s Acting Director of Finance on two occasions, before joining TRI permanently in this role in January 2023. Simon holds a Bachelor of Economics and Finance and is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales.

Raj Davio

Director - ICT

Raj initially joined TRI in 2021 in a consulting capacity with responsibility for reviewing the Institute’s ICT systems and developing a new technology strategy and governance model. In November 2022, he was formally appointed TRI's inaugural Director of ICT, with responsibility for strategic leadership of technology across the Institute. Prior to joining TRI, Raj consulted for TAFE Queensland as the Executive Director of Strategic Transformation, and before that he was the Director of IT Services at Bond University. Raj is currently on the board of a not-for-profit organisation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science and a Master of Business in IT Management.