Society Fellow, Professor Jeannette Lechner-Scott FRSN, an internationally recognised neurologist and leader in multiple sclerosis (MS) research and clinical care at the University of Newcastle, has been awarded the 2024 MS Research Award by MS Australia. This prestigious award recognises researchers advancing the understanding of MS and driving progress toward better treatments, prevention, and a cure.

Chief Executive Officer of MS Australia, Mr Rohan Greenland, in announcing the award said that ‘Professor Lechner-Scott is a powerhouse in MS research and has been instrumental in advancing treatment options, expanding our understanding of MS, and improving patient care. Her leadership has propelled the field forward, and her impact is felt not just in Australia, but globally. For Prof Lechner-Scott, improving the lives of people with MS has been a lifelong mission.’

Her work at John Hunter Hospital, the University of Newcastle, and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) has shaped both the scientific and clinical landscapes of MS treatment, with her dedication and achievements being recognised last year as the 2024 Researcher of the Year in the HMRI Research Excellence Awards.

Her research has provided vital insights into some of the most complex challenges in MS, and she is internationally recognised for uncovering how genes and the environment interact in the disease. Another key focus of her research is the effects of pregnancy on MS, an especially important topic since three in every four Australians living with MS are women.

The Royal Society of New South Wales Council extends warm congratulations to Professor Jeannette Lechner-Scott on this recognition of her research and its impact.

To read more, please see the media release on the MS Australia website.