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.

Dr Helen Benham

​Director - Clinical Translation 

Dr 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. Dr Benham 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

Director - Building Operations

Michelle commenced as Director of Building Operations at TRI in 2016, after four years in WH&S and Facilities roles during the development of the TRI. Currently this role oversees Building Operations, Core facilities, Work Health & Safety, Scientific Services and Central Stores and Sterilisation functions. 
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.  

Siobhan Barry

Director - Communications and Marketing

Siobhan started at TRI in September 2021 after years working in communications management roles in the medical research sector. She started her career as a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, where she reported on many major, national stories for radio, television and online. Prior to joining TRI, Siobhan was the Manager of Media, Government and Community Relations at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. She is experienced in corporate and strategic communications, media and government relations, community and stakeholder engagement, and issues and crisis management. Siobhan holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Hons) and a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland. 

professor graham Galloway

Director - Imaging Infrastructure

Graham is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Imaging Facility and is seconded by UQ to TRI as the Director- Imaging Infrastructure (0.5FTE). He is also Academic Lead for the Preclinical Imaging Core facility at TRI. 
Graham’s research is defined by finding innovative solutions to novel problems, of breaking new ground, of pushing the envelope of research using Magnetic Resonance. His publications include the first human liver and heart spectra, novel pulse sequences for volume selection and water suppression and the first 3D FSE echo experiments. His role in all projects is characterised by his multidisciplinary background, which ensures that he is able to draw together these apparently disparate threads. 

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.