QIMR cements spot as Australia’s leading research institute

QIMR is the highest ranked medical research institute in Australia, according to the Nature Publishing Index 2012 Asia-Pacific released today.

QIMR Director Professor Frank Gannon said the number of articles published in the prestigious journals cemented the Institute’s place as a world-leader.

“This is testament to the quality of the scientists and the research at QIMR,” Professor Gannon said.

“We have more than 500 scientists working on cancer, infectious diseases and mental health and complex disorders who are making their mark and making a difference by producing research with consequences.”

The Nature Publishing Index is an annual survey of how many research articles nations and organisations have published in the 18 Nature-branded research journals.

QIMR research is only relevant to eight of the 18 publications, yet the Institute still made it into the top 10 overall, with the University of Melbourne taking top spot in Australia. University of Queensland came in third behind the Australian National University.

QIMR was the highest-ranked Australian medical research institute, and ranked 59 across the entire Asia-Pacific region.

“Publication in scientific journals is a key indicator of performance, and by these independent measures, QIMR leads the field,” Professor Gannon said.

“This should be reassuring news to all Australians: there is world-quality research happening in your backyard.

“And as the Institute expands, thanks to our new facilities funded by the State and Federal governments and philanthropists like Chuck Feeney and Clive Berghofer, we can only improve our standing.”