Nobel laureate professor Barry Marshall will chair the
organising committee of a major conference in Perth, Australia – 40 years after
he presented ground-breaking work at the same event.
The 22nd International Workshop on
Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms (CHRO 24) is taking place in October,
2024, and is expected to attract around 500 delegates.
Marshall attended the 2nd International
CHRO, in Brussels, in 1983, where he presented his first publication on the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, the start of work which would eventually lead to his winning the joint
Nobel Prize in 2005 with professor Robin Warren.
Marshall famously drank a petri
dish containing Helicobacter pylori to prove the link between the organisms
and stomach ulcers, a link which led to the development of treatments which
have saved countless lives.
On chairing the 2024 event, he said: “When I am asked why international
conferences are important for the academic community I often reflect on my own
experience. When a discovery is made in one location you can’t
truly feel the context until you’ve spoken to an international audience.
“This is when you can see how it fits into the
physical context of that field of research. The CHRO24 conference will play a
crucial role in initiating collaboration on a global scale, and Perth is a
fantastic location to do this.”
Western Australia’s bid for next year’s conference
was presented by the Marshall Centre, at the University of Western Australia, in partnership with Business Events Perth.
Perth Central Business District Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Business Events PerthDeputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, the Hon.
Roger Cook MLA said the event was a great opportunity to promote
Western Australia to high-spending business travellers and to shine a spotlight
on the state’s growing life sciences sector.
“Securing business events and conferences like CHRO
24 plays a critical role in advancing the health and medical life sciences
industry as well as supporting our state’s tourism sector,” Cook said.
“Supported by the WA Government, through Tourism
WA, and Business Events Perth, CHRO 2024 will bring the medical community
together and show delegates and their teams what Western Australia has to
offer.
"Life sciences is one of many growing sectors
in Western Australia and I’m pleased our state has been selected to host this
important event, bringing it back to Australian shores for the first time in 18
years, and showcasing Perth as a world-leading business events destination.”
Medical Research Minister, the Hon. Stephen Dawson
MLC said the WA Government’s boost towards the Medical and life sciences
sector continues to drive the state as a hub of opportunity for innovative
health and medical research on a global level.
“In 2021, Campylobacter was responsible for the
majority of enteric infections affecting Western Australians. Tapping into global knowledge to solve some of
the world’s biggest health issues is a priority for the McGowan Government. Securing events such as CHRO 24 will help us
achieve this.”
Business Events Perth CEO Gareth Martin said
Western Australia has a strong base in medical research and is at the forefront
of developing solutions with new treatments and technologies.
“The 22nd International Workshop on
Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms 2024, is a platform to
showcase the research-rich state that is Western Australia.
"CHRO will contribute upwards of $3.4 million to
the state’s economy, showcasing Perth on the global stage as a destination for
continued knowledge exchange.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
