Professor Bruce Robinson is the Scientific Director of the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases. Bruce is a respiratory physician at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and conducts teaching and research through the University of Western Australia’s School of Medicine and Pharmacology.

He graduated in Medicine from the University of Western Australia and during his career worked and studied in the UK and the USA. Bruce has published over 160 scientific papers, three books and over thirty invited book chapters.

Professor Robinson is recognised internationally for his work in the field of asbestos-induced cancer. He published the world’s first blood test for the diagnosis, monitoring and early detection of mesothelioma, conducted the first cancer immuno-gene therapy trial using vaccinia-cytokine vectors and initiated seven other world-first tumour therapies. Bruce has also made a number of other major discoveries regarding how the body’s immune system fights against cancer which have formed the basis of many grants, papers and clinical trials.

Professor Robinson’s research work has been extensively recognized and he is the recipient of a number of awards, including the Wagner Medal in 2004, presented by the International Mesothelioma Interest Group to the individual whom they vote as having made the greatest contribution to mesothelioma research internationally. He has also received the Premier’s Science Award in 2004, presented to the individual judged to have made significant achievements and leadership in science, as well as the Gordon Ada Invited Lecture in 2004 for outstanding contribution to the field of tumor immunology. He has also received the Eric G Saint Award in 1996 for contributions to research into asbestos-related diseases, and the Young Investigator Award of the Thoracic Society in 1986 for ‘the most outstanding scientific work by an investigator under 36’.