Chair of the CERA Board, Olivia Hilton says: “We were heartened by the fantastic response and the high calibre of candidates who applied for the role, but Keith was the outstanding candidate. He has a strong commitment to eye research, experience, passion and energy to lead CERA into the future.”

Professor Martin was elected as the first Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Cambridge in 2010 and at the time was the youngest full Professor at the University of Cambridge Clinical School. A glaucoma specialist, Professor Martin’s ground-breaking research proved that gene therapy and stem cell therapy can reduce optic nerve damage in experimental models of glaucoma.

He is co-founder of Quethera, a Cambridge-based gene therapy company which has developed a gene therapy for glaucoma that is currently progressing towards human clinical trials. His other current main research interest is in the potential for regeneration and repair of nerve damage in the eye and brain.

Clinically, Professor Martin specialises in advanced and complex glaucoma in adults and children, particularly uveitic glaucoma. He also led the Glaucoma Service at Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Martin said he is “delighted” to have been appointed as the next Managing Director of CERA and Ringland Anderson Chair at the University of Melbourne.

“Under the dynamic leadership of Jonathan Crowston, and in partnership with the University of Melbourne and The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, CERA has consolidated its reputation as one of the leading eye research institutes in the world,” Professor Martin said.

Professor Martin paid tribute to the foresight of CERA’s founders, the leadership of its Board and the energy and achievements of its talented researchers and dedicated support staff.

“Moving from the University of Cambridge has not been an easy decision, but I believe my new role in Melbourne will provide a unique opportunity to lead the next stage of the development of CERA as an internationally outstanding research institute that helps translationally-focused clinicians and scientists to change lives.

“I look forward to working with you all as we seek to develop innovative and creative new approaches to protect and enhance vision, reducing the burden of blinding eye disease in Australia and around the world. I am excited to get started early next year and am looking forward to the challenges ahead!” Professor Martin said.

Professor Martin will commence in the dual roles of Managing Director of CERA and Ringland Anderson Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne on 11 February 2019.