Following the NATA Board meeting held on December 4, David Turner has stepped down from the position of NATA Chair.
Dr. Sanmarié Schlebusch has been elected Chair with Mr Turner elected Vice-chair.
Dr Schlebusch joined the NATA Board in 2018 and has held the position of Vice-chair since 2020.
She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, an Associate Fellow of the College of Health Services Management and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr Schlebusch is Medical Director Microbiology, Virology and Genomics at the Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories for Pathology Queensland and a Clinical Microbiologist at Pathology Queensland’s Central Laboratory. She is also the Deputy Chair for the Communicable Diseases Genomics Network of Australia.
Dr Schlebusch recently completed a PhD on the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome using a metagenomic approach and is well published and recognised for her research and expertise in innovative technologies for diagnosis of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
These changes support the Board’s strategy around succession planning and will ensure NATA is well-prepared for future challenges.
NATA is delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with Sanmarié and take this opportunity to thank David for his support as NATA Chair since his appointment in 2020 and look forward to his continuing contributions on the NATA Board.