Professor Adrienne Clarke AC was a Director of VESKI and held the position of Chairman from September 2003 to August 2007. She now holds an ambassadorial role as a VESKI Fellow.
Adrienne Clarke has had a distinguished career as a biologist and has also contributed to business and Government in Australia. She holds a Personal Chair and was one of three foundation Laureate Professors appointed at the University of Melbourne. Her research achievements in the fields of plant molecular biology and complex carbohydrate chemistry have been recognised by her election to the National Academy of Sciences and the Academy of the Arts and Sciences in the USA as well as to the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of the Technological Sciences and Engineering. She was the elected President of the International Society for Plant Molecular Biology 1997-1999.
Her contributions to public life have mainly been through organisations related to the development of science and industry. She served as the Chairman of the CSIRO Board from 1991-1996 and as Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria from 1997-2000. In recognition of her service to science, for applying scientific discovery for economic benefit and for mentoring future leaders, she was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1991 and a Companion in the Order of Australia in 2004.
She has contributed to business through appointments to the Boards of several public companies as well as small start-up technology companies. She is currently a member of the Boards of Woolworths Ltd, Fisher Paykel Health Care in New Zealand, Hexima Ltd and Tridan Ltd.
back to top