Associate Professor Deborah Cockrell AM and Dr Rachel Martin have been appointed as directors to the ADRF which plays a critical role in building dental research capability in Australia.
Associate Professor Deborah Cockrell has been appointed with a specific responsibility as the Chair of the Research Advisory Committee which oversees allocation of the ADRF’s research priorities and funds.
An oral surgeon with a PhD in dental education who has worked in both public and private practice, – A/Prof Cockrell brings a wealth of skills and experience to her new role including teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and serving as President of the NSW Branch of the ADA from 2013-2015.
In addition, -A/Prof Cockrell is currently serving in a number of capacities including Acting Head of Discipline of Oral Health, University of Newcastle, Director (Oral Health), Centre for Education and Research in Ageing (CERA) CRGH, Professional Officer / Authorised Person, Dental Council of NSW and Director and Chair of Accreditation Committee, Australian Dental Council.
Dr Rachel Martin is a registered dentist and specialist in Public Health Dentistry. Passionate about health equity, she is director and co-founder of the Network for the Integration of Oral Health (NIOH) which is committed to improving the oral health of Australians through collaboration to build the evidence base and translation into practice of oral health within general health.
Dr Martin chairs the ADA Victoria Branch Public Dentists Committee and co-chairs the National Notification and Immediate Action Committees of the Dental Board of Australia. In 2020 she was awarded a Fellowship of the International College of Dentists, and a Fellowship of the Pierre Fauchard Academy for outstanding leadership in the profession of dentistry.
Together with other Board members of the ADRF, A/Prof Cockrell and Dr Martin will play vital roles at the forefront of supporting Australian dental research.
Ms Louise McCann, Chair of the Board of Directors of the ADRF is bringing greater diversity to the ADRF Board, “I am delighted to welcome Deb Cockrell and Rachel Martin to the board of the ADRF. Deb and Rachel are both highly experienced board directors and dental industry leaders. Deb will also take up the critical role of Chair of the ADRF’s Research & Advisory Committee to support the ideation and review of our research grants strategy”.
Each year donations assist the ADRF to support research projects conducted by dental students, early and mid-career researchers, and senior dental researchers working in our world class dental laboratories.
Supporting Australian dental research will strengthen the capacity of our dental researchers to impact on all areas of dentistry leading to improved delivery of care for our patients, reduction of risk factors and better managing the burden of oral disease for the benefit of individuals, the health system and the economy.
To learn more about the ADRF, visit Australian Dental Research Foundation.
