The Raine Study Board has announced a change in leadership status of the longest-running pregnancy longitudinal cohort study in the world.
Professor Romola Bucks will step down as Director of the Raine Study, after five years at the helm. Current Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Medical Research) at The University of Western Australia, Professor Bucks will retire in December 2025, after 18 years at UWA.
"This is a bittersweet step but one taken with a full heart and immense pride in what we have accomplished over the past five years working with this amazing and immensely undervalued study," she said.
Associate Professor Rebecca Glauert will move from her role as the Raine Study's Scientific Director, stepping into a new position as Chief Executive of The Population Health Research Network (PHRN) on 1 July 2025. She succeeds Dr Merran Smith, the PHRN's inaugural Chief Executive.
"My time at the Raine Study has brought newfound respect for the critical role that cohort studies play in health and medical research in Australia, and how lucky we are to have some of the best cohorts in the world," Associate Professor Glauert said.
The Raine Study Board will replace both part-time roles with one full-time directorship which will build on the Raine Study's strategic focus. Over the past five years, both directors have been instrumental in securing Western Australian Government funding for the first time in the Raine Study's 35-year history, through the Future Health Research and Innovation program.
Through Associate Professor Glauert's leadership, the Raine Study has been able to recruit a world-leading third generation of participants into the study; the grand-children of the original children.
With Perron Foundation and Telethon7 funding, the Raine Study is delivering an unparalleled, multi-generation resource for researchers and policy-makers, making it an invaluable asset for Western Australia and the global community.
Raine Study Board Chair Catherine Resnick said the Board was enormously grateful to Professor Bucks and Associate Professor Glauert for their vision, integrity and commitment.
"They have led the Raine Study through periods of growth, challenge and opportunity with unwavering clarity of purpose and deep compassion and they leave the organisation not only in a position of strength – but poised for an exciting new chapter," Ms Resnick said.
The Raine Study's key findings over the past 35 years include the confirmation that ultrasounds on pregnant mothers are safe, resulting in the adoption of international standards during pregnancy, and the World Health Organisation recently updated their guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour based on data derived from the Raine Study.
Image above: Professor Romola Bucks.
