Professor Caroline McMillen

APPOINTMENT: 2011 to present

Professor Caroline McMillen joined the University of Newcastle as Vice-Chancellor and President in October 2011. 

Professor McMillen has dedicated almost 30 years to the higher education sector, holding leadership roles across research, innovation and teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University, and completed her medical training at the University of Cambridge.

In 1983, Professor McMillen moved to Australia to lecture at Monash University. In 1992, she was appointed Professor, Chair and Head of the Department of Physiology at the University of Adelaide. In 2005, she accepted the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President: Research and Innovation at the University of South Australia, a position she held until her move to Newcastle.

As a biomedical researcher, Professor McMillen is internationally recognised for her work into the impact of the nutritional environment before birth on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and obesity in adult life.

Her research group has been funded continuously for two decades by both the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council. She has published more than 200 publications and been invited to present at more than 70 international and national meetings. Professor McMillen is also currently the Chair of the Endocrinology, Reproduction and Development Commission of the International Union of Physiological Societies - the only Australian Chair on this international body.

Over her career, Professor McMillen has trained more than 50 Honours and PhD students who have gone on to win national honours and fellowships and made significant contributions in diverse careers, including research, industry, medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and education.

She has served on state government groups focused on: building innovation, climate change, manufacturing and the resources industry. Professor McMillen was a member of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council Working Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders focusing on maternal and peri-natal health. She has served as Chair of the Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council's grant review panels.

Professor McMillen is committed to building collaborative partnerships between universities, government, industry and communities that directly contribute to the economic, environmental, social and cultural health of Australia.