The duo joins an already strong board that is chaired by Mr Gerry Moriarty AM.
Other Board members include Vice Chair Mr Jack Smorgon AO, Treasurer Mr Brian Jamieson, Mr Li Cunxin, Ms Kathleen Jordan, Prof James Angus, Prof Iven Mareels, Prof Field Rickards and Mr John Bryson.
Mr Bracks said he was delighted to join the board of the Bionic Ear Institute.
“One hundred and ten thousand people worldwide can hear because of the bionic ear and the Bionic Ear Institute continues scientific research into hearing improvement aimed at a high fidelity implant,” he said.
Ms Hardy is Director of Business Development and Legal Affairs at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and is a specialist in intellectual property, commercialisation and managing medical research partnerships.
Ms Hardy said she hoped her experience at the Garvan and her background in corporate law and as a counsel involved with medical research would be of assistance to the institute.
“As Premier, Steve Bracks was a great supporter of health research and it’s very pleasing that he has chosen to continue his commitment to the sector by joining the Institute’s Board”.
The Board has an exciting new vision to expand the scope and capability of the Institute. I believe Steve Bracks and Christina Hardy will be a great help to us in realising that vision” Mr Moriarty said.
“The Institute has an outstanding global reputation and Christina Hardy will bring new experiences from her work with other research organisations to advance our scientific and commercialisation outcomes.”
The Bionic Ear Institute is currently seeking funds to expand its research capacity in Melbourne in order to develop new bionic devices to address blindness, epilepsy and a number of spinal cord conditions.
