First published 9 October 2026
Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths AM and Distinguished Professor Yuantong Gu have been named Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).
They join a group of 29 new Fellows who have been elected this year to join the prestigious group, recognising outstanding contributions to health and medical science across research, clinical practice, public health, innovation and leadership.
Academy President Professor Louise Baur AM PresAHMS said the new Fellows reflect both the strength and breadth of Australia’s health and medical sciences.
“Our new Fellows have each made an exceptional contribution to improving health – whether through scientific discovery, clinical care, public health and prevention, new technologies, or by translating evidence into policy and practice,” Professor Baur said.
“What unites them is not only excellence in their respective fields, but a commitment to using their expertise to make a difference to people’s lives.
Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths AM
“Advances in genomics are transforming our understanding of human health and disease. I am proud to contribute to research that strengthens Australia’s capabilities in personalised medicine and improves our understanding of complex genetic conditions.”
Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths, from the School of Biomedical Sciences, is a global leader in translational genomics whose contributions bridge discovery and clinical application.
She pioneered Australia’s first accredited molecular diagnostic service for migraine and related disorders, enabling precision diagnosis for thousands of patients.
Her internationally recognised research has advanced understanding of the genetic basis of complex neurological conditions, including migraine, epilepsy and hereditary stroke, helping translate discoveries in molecular genetics into improved diagnostic approaches and clinical practice.
She drives national initiatives in genomics, population health and commercialisation. As founder of the Bridge and BridgeTech programs, she has transformed Australia’s biomedical innovation ecosystem to provide commercialisation training for the pharmaceutical and medical devices-technology fields.
Her contributions to genetics and neurological disorder research were recognised with her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023, reflecting the national significance of her scientific achievements and leadership.
A passionate mentor and inspiration for women in STEMM, Professor Griffiths combines research excellence with strategic leadership to deliver real-world impact and strengthen national capacity.
Distinguished Professor Yuantong Gu
“Engineering, artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming healthcare. By combining advanced computational modelling with trustworthy AI, we can develop innovative solutions that improve diagnosis, treatment and patient outcomes, while ensuring health technologies remain reliable, ethical and clinically relevant.”
Executive Dean of the QUT Faculty of Engineering, Distinguished Professor Yuantong Gu is an internationally recognised leader in computational mechanics and biomedical engineering whose research is advancing AI-enabled healthcare, biomechanics and advanced engineering modelling techniques. His work spans computational biomechanics, multiscale modelling, medical artificial intelligence and translational MedTech, delivering innovations in musculoskeletal health, medical imaging, and next-generation healthcare and medical technologies.
Over more than two decades, he has developed internationally recognised modelling and simulation technologies that have transformed understanding of joint biomechanics, cartilage degeneration and blood cell mechanics. More recently, he has emerged as a leader in trustworthy and privacy-preserving AI for healthcare, creating novel frameworks that enable secure, collaborative AI development across institutions while protecting sensitive patient data.
A Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and recipient of the 2026 International Association for Computational Mechanics (IACM) Fellows Award, Professor Gu is recognised globally for his scientific leadership and sustained research excellence. His innovations have been translated into clinical and commercial applications, including AI-driven diagnostic technologies, digital orthopaedic tools and healthcare-focused spinout companies.
As a former ARC Future Fellow and founding Director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics, Professor Gu has built strong partnerships between universities, hospitals and industry, championing the translation of research into technologies that improve health outcomes and strengthen Australia's MedTech innovation ecosystem.
The 2026 AAHMS Fellows will be formally inducted at the Academy’s annual event later this year.
They join other QUT researchers previously named as AAHMS Fellows including Distinguished Professor Emeritus Judith Clements, Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher, Adjunct Professor Alison Kitson and Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates AM.
Main photo (left to right): Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths and Distinguished Professor Yuantong Gu
Media contact:
Lauren Baxter
QUT Media
media@qut.edu.au
