Dr Sarah Bray is an experienced postdoctoral researcher and project manager, passionate about science engagement with the wider community. Dr Bray has worked on a diverse range of projects over her career, from medical research in cancer biology (leukaemia and rare blood disorders) and tropical infectious disease and bacteriophage research, to her PhD project wrangling ancient DNA from extinct bears.

In her current role at SAHMRI, Dr Bray helped to establish and develop the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), including coordinating the complex ethics and governance requirements for this ambitious national ‘Big Data’ resource that linked the health and aged care sectors with the aim of improving the lives of all Australians using aged care. She also coordinates the consumer and community engagement activities for ROSA.

Over the last decade, Dr Bray’s roles have shifted from laboratory-based positions to project management and high-level research support, including facilitating the ethics and research governance requirements for a large number of complex national research projects, providing executive support and various contributions to a range of committees, as well as assisting with the writing of competitive grant applications, scientific journal articles, and conference presentations. Dr Bray’s background and experience in working in such a diverse range of research areas as a scientist and research admin/manager has given her the ability to understand and interpret complex scientific and medical information, and to build rapport and communicate the research in meaningful ways to different audiences, from high-level boardroom settings, to traditional academic scenarios, to public forums such as school classrooms.