University of Sydney CV
BENNETT, Maxwell Richard
AO, BEng, DSc, FAA
University of Sydney
1981, Elected FAA, the first in the history of the Medical School
1981, Received the largest personal Centre of Excellence Grant in the first round of 10 grants over all disciplines in all universities by the Federal Government.
1981, Appointed to a Personal Chair (Neuroscience), after the first Lord May.
1998, Received the Macfarlane Burnet Medal, the senior award in biology and medicine of the Academy of Science; the first in any University or Institute in NSW.
2000, Appointed to the first University Chair, for ‘research recognized internationally to be of exceptional distinction’.
2002, Presented the Sesquicentenary Lecture on behalf of the University in McLaurin Hall at the Celebratory Dinner.
2003 – 2010, Established what I called ‘The Brain and Mind Research Institute’ (now Centre). Raised over $70 million to ensure its foundation. Appointed Founding Director.
2019, Published ‘The Search for Knowledge and Understanding’, being the intellectual history of 20 of the greatest scholars over the last century at Sydney University, commissioned by the Vice Chancellor and the Provost.
1969 – 2019, Wrote ten books in the areas of history and philosophy of Neuroscience while at Sydney University (see https://www.amazon.com/M.-R.-Bennett/e/B001JS32MU).
1969 – 2019, Wrote over 400 research papers in Neuroscience. First, these established that the nervous system is plastic, that is synaptic connections are not fixed. Second, they delineated the function and structure of synapses that control the internal organs, which led to the identity of new substances at these synapses, such as those involved in thrombosis (see https://sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/max-bennett.html).
Nationally
1986, Established the main lobby group for Science and Technology in Australia, consisting of 80 such societies, which I called the ‘Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies’ (FASTS), Now called ‘Science Australia’.
2015, Founded the ‘Tropical Brain and Mind Research Foundation’ in North Queensland, with Sir Peter Cosgrove as Chair/Patron. To meet brain and mind disorders unique to the tropics.
2017, Founded the ‘Kimberley Brain and Mind Foundation’ in North Western Australia with Commissioner June Oscar as Chair and Sir Angus Houston as Patron. To meet brain and mind disorders unique to our Aboriginal people, especially children.
2018, Initiated the ‘Mind and Neuroscience Thompson Institute’ in South Queensland, and participated in the establishment of its buildings. Made Chair of the Institute Board by the Chancellor, Sir Angus Houston (see attachment ‘Founding.MNTI’).
Internationally
1998, Founded the ‘International Society for Autonomic Neuroscience’, bringing together all neuroscientists researching this system controlling the emotions, the viscera and the vasculature. This society has met biannually since 1998.
2006, Founded ‘APRU Brain and Mind Research in the Asia Pacific’. Bringing together all researchers in the Pacific Rim Universities for biannual Symposia.
Director
1998 – 2002, Neuroscience Australia
2010 – 2014, Brain Foundation
2018 - 2023, Mind and Neuroscience Institute (now Thompson Institute)
2024 - Present, Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare Ltd