Chair in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine
University of Newcastle, Australia
Professor Craig Pennell is the Chair in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of Discipline at the University of Newcastle, and Senior Staff Specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine (John Hunter Hospital). In addition to his subspecialty training in maternal fetal medicine, he has a PhD in fetal physiology and completed postdoctoral training in molecular genetics in Toronto. Professor Pennell has managed high risk pregnancies as a subspecialist for 20 years in Canada, Perth, and now Newcastle and his clinical work focuses on preterm birth prevention and the developmental origins of health and disease. In addition to research, teaching and clinical medicine, he is the Foundation Scientific Director of the Newcastle 1000 Family Study (NEW1000) and Chair of the National Scientific Advisory Group of Red Nose.
Professor Pennell’s research is best categorised as personalised medicine in perinatal health and the developmental origins of health and disease. His research is focused on the use of genetics and genomics to predict and prevent preterm birth and non-communicable diseases across the lifespan. Over his research career, he has published more 260 papers, been cited over 20000 times and been awarded more than $30M in competitive research grants.