Home		Personal Disclaimer: To be perfectly honest, I find these sorts of resume summaries a bit embarrassing because, when strung together, the list seems to make me look more accomplished than I really am. I am and feel terribly ordinary. However I need to have stuff summarized on one page. I am truthfully uncomfortable however having all this information in the public domain and have been tempted many times to remove it from the website. I wince whenever I think about it being out there.    Nevertheless there are many, many times now that various organizations and individuals need easy access this brief bio, so to save time for my secretaries and myself it has remained here on this website. That has indeed already saved us dozens of hours of work so, as an uncomfortable necessity, it will stay here. But please don't take it too seriously.
Fathering
Medical Practice
Medical   Research
Teaching
Resume-CV
Football Coaching Manual
Family

Part A: Summary
 

Dr Bruce Robinson is Professor Medicine & a consultant Lung Specialist at the University of WA unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Medical Research: Co-leads a large research team studying cancer immunology and asbestos diseases. He has received a number of prestigious awards, including the international Wagner Medal, the Research Medal of the Thoracic Society of Australia and NZ and the Premier's Science Award. The team have made many discoveries, including the first blood test for mesothelioma and have conducted many world-first treatments, including Australia's first cancer gene therapy trial. Has published over 150 peer reviewed papers, over 30 books chapters and 2 medical books. He regularly speaks at major international meetings & has made numerous media appearances relating to science. He is the co-founder and Director of the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases [www.ncard.org], a pioneering Australian national co-operative whose goal is to cure or prevent asbestos cancers [the only such asbestos research co-operative in the world]. Chairs the State Health Research Advisory Council [www.shrac.health.wa.gov.au], a peak body with the goal of enhancing research throughout the health sector to improve health.

Has over 30 years of experience caring for patients with lung diseases, especially asbestos-induced diseases.

Some NHMRC Reviewers comments:

'The applicants are leaders in their field both nationally and internationally'. 

'Professor Robinson’s team are clearly international leaders in the field of mesothelioma research’.

Parenting: Co-founded and directs The Fathering Project [www.thefatheringproject.org], a University-based group aimed at reducing substance abuse, crime, poor school attitudes, bullying, depression and other adolescent problems by trying to fix 'the missing link' ie. encouraging positive input from fathers or father figures. Author of 3 widely read books on parenting ['Daughters and their Dads', 'Fathering from the Fast Lane' and 'The Blue Book of Tips for Fathers and Father Figures'] [www.macsis.com.au] and the DVD 'What Kids Really Need from their Dads'. Has lectured on parenting in 5 countries, featured on numerous TV & radio programs on these issues, plus newspapers& magazine, and has received a Family Service Award.
Some feedback:

'This book is brilliant. It is the best book I have ever read on daughters and their dads'. W Marsh, Fatherhood Foundation

'That was the best talk I have ever heard, on any subject. Thank you'. J. Alvarez. Surgeon.
'This dynamic DVD and program will provide parents and teachers with an outstanding resource to assist and encourage fathers to positively engage in their children’s lives'. Colin Pettit, President, Primary Principals Assoc.

Medical student teaching: 35 year experience in teaching medical students, including new programs in communication skills [‘how to break bad news to patients'] and in medical research. Initiated teaching weekends and medical teacher development days. Winner of 3 UWA Medical School Teacher-of-the-Year awards. 
Some medical student comments from UWA Faculty of Medicine:

‘Prof Robinson is one of the most inspiring teachers I have ever had’. ‘I don’t have many role models but Bruce has become one of them’. ‘

His dedication to his patients and his ability to communicate his genuine compassion to them also sets a good example for medical students'. 

'Prof Robinson is not only an excellent doctor but a true teacher, and deserves recognition as such. He is reminder of why we chose medicine as a career’.

International Disaster Relief and Training: Provided medical services in Aceh following the 2005 tsunami and co-developed and taught in disaster-preparedness and health training programs in Indonesia. Undertakes volunteer village and hospital medical work in Indonesia. Co-founded and directs the International Skills and Training Institute in Health [www.istih.org], a philanthropic organization which provides services and training in disaster situations within the Asian region.

Some feedback from Banda Aceh ISTIH Disaster Team Training Program participants:

‘A well organized, very professional course’. ‘Good teaching style with a friendly approach’. ‘Participants gained a high level of knowledge and experience’. ‘Participants gained a better understanding of how to manage a team, of the objective requirements of a disaster triage system and of the debriefing process’

Awards:
The Research Medal of the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand, 2008 for research leadership in Australia

The Wagner Medal of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group. 2004, for leading world research into asbestos cancers.
The Premier's Science Award, 2004, for achievement and leadership in science.
The Young Investigator Award of the Thoracic Society of Australia, 1986, for the best research by an investigator under 35yo.
The Eric G Saint Award, 1996, for contributions to research into asbestos-related diseases.
The Teacher of the Year award, 1990; the University of Western Australia School of Medicine
The Excellence in Teaching award, 1997; the University of Western Australia Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
The Teacher of the Year award, 1999; the University of Western Australia School of Medicine
Family Service Award, 2004, for contributions to family life for the book Fathering from the Fast Lane' & fathering seminars

Media:
Radio: Interviews, panels, talkback radio etc on the following stations: ABC Perth, ABC Sydney, ABC Melbourne, ABC Brisbane, ABC Hobart, ABC Darwin, ABC Canberra, ABC Central Coast, ABC Toowoomba, ABC Radio South West
2UE Sydney, 4BC Brisbane, 2CC Canberra, 4WC Toowoomba, 5AA Adelaide, 2DU Dubbo, 2AY Albury, 2GLF Sydney, 2RE Taree, 2GZ Orange Life Matters (ABC - several occasions), ABC Family Matters (Panel Member - 6 weeks), Conversation of the Nation (Tas)
Television: interviews, features etc: ABC TV (James O'Loghlin), 10 (Bert Newton), 7 (Denise Drysdale), NZTV (Morning Show), 7 (Evening News), 10 (Evening News), 7 (Today Tonight)
Newspapers and Magazines: articles, interviews, features etc:  Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, Age, West Australian, Sunday Telegraph, Brisbane Courier Mail, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Queensland Times, Gold Coast Bulletin, Western Suburbs Weekly, Post Newspapers, My Child, HBF Magazine, Sunday Times Magazine, Australian Association for Pastoral Care Education Magazine, Weekend Courier, Sunday Mail, Herald Sun.

Part B: More details

Personal Details

Bruce William Stanley Robinson
DOB. 2 June 1950, Perth, Western Australia

Educational Qualifications: MBBS MD FRACP FRCP DTM&H FCCP
Matriculation 1967 Perth, Western Australia (5 distinctions), MBBS 1974 University of Western Australia, DTM&H 1976 University of Liverpool (School of Tropical Medicine), MRCP 1977 Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom), FRACP 1981 Royal Australasian College of Physicians, FCCP 1987 American College of Chest Physicians , MD 1987 University of Western Australia, FRCP 1995 Royal College of Physicians (UK)


AREAS OF ACTIVITY /WORK
[= "dont just feel bad about stuff, do something"
or, as labelled by someone recently,
DISASTERS, DADS AND DOCTORS WHO CARE"]
 

1. DISASTERS

I guess there are 2 types of disasters I have studied or worked with:
  - slow/industrial  [eg. asbestos]
  - sudden/natural [eg tsunamis]

1. 1 ASBESTOS DISEASES RESEARCH
Personal comment:
I have always loved, and still do, the experience of working as a doctor. I am grateful that our educational system allowed a boy from Bassendean to get to University and not have to spend my whole life working in the sorts of factories that I used to spend my summer holidays working in. There is something rich about clinical medicine, like talking to patients about their lives and their most vulnerable feelings - I find every person (well almost every person) really interesting, so that aspect of medicine suits me.  
But my fundamental insatiable curiosity meant that just practising my profession would never be enough for me, so I started a research career in the USA in the early 80s. That resulted in a career that combined clinical respiratory medicine with research and that has suited me well. 
We have, over the past 20 years, focussed principally on asbestos-related diseases and tumour immunology.  The rate of asbestos cancer in WA (the highest in the world) has been described as ‘the greatest industrial disaster in history’. We feel we have an obligation to apply the technology we have developed to this disease to help develop new diagnostic and treatment methods. But the sufferers and their families are so brave and inspiring that it is very easy to get motivated.
We hope we will be able offer victims of this disease the best of care and also change the attitude of others to this problem from a negative one (‘disaster’ etc) to a positive one (‘hope for victims’).
But I have to confess something certain - everything listed below is due to a fantastic team of talented and dedicated scientists and clinicians, not just due to me at all - my contribution has only ever been as one player in these teams.

·         international leadership position in the field of asbestos-induced cancer, as evidenced by the receipt of the Wagner Medal in 2004 - presented by the International Mesothelioma Interest Group to 'the individual whom they vote as having made the greatest contribution to mesothelioma research internationally'

·         won the Research Medal of the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand, 2008. This medal is given  'in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge in respiratory medicine or science carried out primarily in Australia or New Zealand, and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated sustained excellence in their field of research'.

·         won the Premier's Science Award, 2004 (presented to the individual judged to be the person in the opinion of the Premier’s Science Council has the greatest achievements and leadership in science).

·         recipient of other research awards, including the Eric G Saint Award,1996 (for contributions to research into asbestos-related diseases),the  Gordon Ada Invited Lecture 2004 (for contributions to the field of tumor immunology)        and the Young Investigator Award of the Thoracic Society, 1986 (for 'the most outstanding scientific work by an investigator under 36).

·         published the world’s first blood test for the diagnosis, monitoring and early detection of mesothelioma, a discovery of such importance that became the lead story on the BBC in the UK and other media

·         the first cancer immuno-gene therapy trial using vaccinia-cytokine vectors +  7 other world-first tumour therapies

·         cloned over 20 novel tumour antigens in the search for a vaccine that might prevent asbestos-induced cancer

·         a number of other major discoveries regarding how the body’s immune system fights against cancer which have formed the basis of many grants, papers and clinical trials. Many of these are listed elsewhere on this site (http://www.brucerobinson.com.au/tumor_immunology_research.htm)

·         chaired the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia’s National Asbestos Working Party

·         inaugural Director of the NHMRC's National Research Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases.

·         co-founded the Perth Mesothelioma Centre

·         co-founded the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (the main international clinical and scientific collaborative body that brings together clinicians, scientists, epidemiologists etc to meet biannually)

·         established the Tumour Immunology Group at the Uni of WA Dept of Medicine at the SCGH with the major research focus being asbestos-induced cancer

·         founding member of the collaborative group which initiated the WA Institute for Medical Research

·         trained 24 PhD or BSc(Hons) students, 6 of whom have won Young Investigator Awards for the research they have undertaken in our group

·         succeeded in attracting the International Mesothelioma Conference to Perth in December 2003 (this was the first time the meeting has ever been held outside Europe and the USA).

·         high level of productivity/in the field eg. over 160 scientific papers, 25 chapters in major books in the field , 2  books.

·         our leadership position in the this field is evidenced by having invited review articles published recently in the most prestigious journals in the world (eg New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Cancer Reviews & Lancet),

·         over $12 million in NHMRC competitive, peer-reviewed funding

·         invited speaker at >40 major international meetings

·         collaborations with colleagues in London, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, San Diego, Charleston, Boston, Bethesda, Philadelphia, New York and many sites in Australia.

·         Practised as a chest physician for nearly 30 years in Australia, England and the USA, much of that time involved in caring for victims of asbestos.

·         research work featured in media, eg. ABC TV’s Catalyst program, Four Corners, a Current Affair, the BBC, TV news programs and numerous radio and newspaper articles.

 Comments (anonymous) provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council Peer Review Assessments of this medical research.

• ‘‘The applicants are leaders in their field both nationally and internationally’

• 'Productivity from Professor Robinson’s group is outstanding. The award of the Wagner medal in 2004 is a wonderful achievement and success of younger investigators in the group is also highly commendable and is testament to the team’s capabilities in training the next generation of mesothelioma researchers. Professor Robinson’s team are clearly international leaders in the field of mesothelioma research’

[other comments re our research]

1.2 RESPONDING TO NATURAL DISASTERS

Personal comment:
In late 2005 I was on family holiday down on the south coast and each day I would listen to the reports on the radio about the mounting death toll after the Indian Ocean tsunami. When the toll reached 60,000 I remember sitting on my campbed weeping as I thought about all of those kids who would have no parents anymore. I phoned and volunteered there and then [I thought I might be useful because I had a Tropical Medicine degree and a fair bit of experience in developing countries]. I had to quickly learn to speak bahasa Indonesian [because I was to go with a purely Indonesian team] and then I joined the team. 
I flew to various locations in Aceh and worked in tents helping whomever came along. I didnt feel that I was achieving wonderful things medically, but was just happy to roll my sleeves up and try to help. And as emotionally hard as the experience was, and it was raw and hard, I made lifelong friends from that team of Indonesians.
That experience also provided the basis for a new & potentially very effective training institute that we established soon afterwards [ISTIH], plus many return visits to work and train young doctors in Indonesia.

• served in a Tsunami Medical Relief Team in Aceh, Indonesia in Feb/March & July 2005 (http://www.brucerobinson.com.au/Tsunami.html). This team, from Obor Berkat Indonesia,was entirely Indonesian and recently won a prestigious award from the President of Indonesia for their work in post-tsunami Aceh.

• completed 8 trips (so far) to Indonesia delivering medical care, providing training in respiratory medicine & bronchoscopy skills and training in disaster preparedness in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Jakarta

• served in other developing countries eg Papua New Guinea

• co-initiated the International Skills and Training Institute in Health [ISTIH] - see below 

 2. DADS

ENCOURAGEMENT OF FATHERS AND FATHER-FIGURES TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN CHILDREN'S LIVES.

Personal comment:
I have struggled as a father myself with busyness, tiredness and travel. It is those struggles, plus the experience of talking with men who are dying of cancer and who wish they had spent more time with their kids, that got me started in this area. The writing of my first book, Fathering from the Fast Lane, was honestly a bit of an accident so the fact that it became a best-seller was bit embarrassing at first. If I had been a fantastic dad it would have been easier, but I am not.
During that process however I realised that  the dads who most needed to know how to be a good dad were the very dads who were least likely to read such a book or to attend parenting seminars. So we [UWA and ECU] researched then made a DVD, plus a simple booklet, to reach out to every father, and father-figure, that we could, principally through schools but also through workplaces and community groups.
Our hope was that dads would become better 'connected' to their kids from an early age, and where there was no dad, father figures would step in to that role. We knew from the statistics that if this succeeded, it would  reduce the rate of drug addiction, smoking, binge drinking, crime, bullying, vandalism, teenage depression and poor attitudes to school. This could [incidentally] save the national economy billions of dollars each year.

• authored the popular books 'Daughters and their Dads' (Macsis, 2008) and  'Fathering from the Fast Lane'  (Finch Publishing, 2001)

• co-founded The Fathering Project which developed a DVD for schools aimed at encouraging fathers or father-figures to get involved in their childrens' education/school - www.thefatheringproject.org.  This project is  also aimed at reducing adolescent drug taking, crime and depression/suicide. The DVD entitled "What Kids Really Need from their Dads" was supported by both Commonwealth and State Education Depts and is being sent to all schools.

• wrote "The Blue Book of Tips for Fathers and Father Figures"(Macsis, 2007), which is also being sent to all schools to help fathers, and father figures, get more involved in children's lives

• given seminars on the subject of fathers/parenting for busy people to over 100 groups in Australia, England, USA, Canada and New Zealand.). These groups include schools Rotary Clubs, City Councils, Chambers of Commerce, groups, church groups, mens groups, single mothers groups, mens breakfasts and a number of professional conferences-  http://www.brucerobinson.com.au/book.html

• invited to be the speaker at a Fatherhood Foundation dinner in Parliament House, Canberra, to a group of selected political leaders, including the deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Family Services and others. 

• co-developed a successful community program for men through the Subiaco Community Development Centre, called ‘21^st Century Men’,  to help provide information on men's health, parenting, stress at work, community, relationships - www.scdc.com.au

• these books, the DVD and the related work on parenting have been featured in the media, eg. Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton, Good Morning on TV NZ, The Morning Show on Seven with Denise Drysdale, evening news bulletins & others, over 35 radio interviews, including Life Matters, AM and numerous talk-back shows and around 25 newspaper articles - http://www.brucerobinson.com.au/Media%20FFL.htm

• received a Family Service Award, 2004 (for contributions to families by the publication of 'Fathering from the Fast Lane')
   

Some comments on the Books, Seminars & Fathering DVD

• ‘I recommend this book for all fathers struggling to be better parents’.
  Rev Tim Costello 

• ‘Bruce Robinson provides incredibly valuable strategies for negotiating the long road that being a father is all about. A must-read for all men, be they fathers or not’.
  Daniel Petre. Author of Father Time.

• 'This book is brilliant. It is the best book I have ever read on daughters and thier dads, without a shadow of a doubt. It is a must read book for every daughter and every dad.
  Warwick Marsh, Fatherhood Foundation

• ‘Here we have a chance to read about people’s real experiences and results with their own children. I suggest all fathers have a read.’
  Dennis Lillee. Former Test Cricketer.

• ‘The talk was informative, entertaining and inspirational. As a working mother I found all of the ideas to be applicable to me as well to the men who attended.
  Ms JA. City Council Community Development Officer.

• That was the best talk I have ever heard on any subject. Thank you. My wife enjoyed it too and said she was glad I was there to listen to it.
  JA. Surgeon.

• This dynamic DVD and program will provide parents and teachers with an outstanding resource to assist and encourage fathers to positively engage in their children’s lives.  The DVD has relevance to all parents and caregivers.
  Colin Pettit, President, former Primary Principals Association of WA

[click for other comments on:
  - Books
  - Seminars
  - Fathering DVD]
 

 3. DOCTORS WHO CARE

3.1 TEACHING COMPETENCE AND COMMUNICATION TO MEDICAL STUDENTS
Personal comment:
I have always loved teaching medical students - they are bright, motivated and fun to teach. That also means they are easy to teach, and I feel sorry for those schoolteachers who have to teach unmotivated kids who don't want to be at school [I think those teachers deserve way more credit than us medical teachers].

The realization that our teaching can help our students graduate as competent and caring doctors drives us all on. Many of my former students are now my friends. To teach them to sit on an elderly ladies' bedside, to her hand and to speak words of kindness to her is a privilege.

• Initiated a program of communication skills tutorials to medical students on ‘how to break bad news to patients” because bad news is often broken to patients and their relatives quite badly by doctors, and with devastating effects.  I started this course in 1990 and the program has now been going for 16 years.

• Developed a ‘medical research for medical students’ lecture/symposium to teach and encourage medical students to think about research and to develop their questioning skills and creativity

• Developed a program of tutorials for medical students aimed at helping them to develop balanced careers and avoid the ‘occupational hazards’ of medicine ie. alcoholism, divorce, depression etc. This has been running for 15 years.

• Developed a program of “Teaching Weekends’ for medical students, aimed at providing a unique environment for them to learn effectively and also talk personally with their tutors about issues that concern them. This program has now been running for 16 years.

• Awarded the Teacher of the Year Award, 1990; UWA School of Medicine (selected by the students).

• Awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award, 1997; the UWA Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

• Awarded the Teacher of the Year Award, 1999; the University of Western Australia School of Medicine.

• Established teaching fora for postgraduate science students, eg. weekly journal clubs, data presentations and invited lectures. This was principally undertaken to improve the training of scientists within Tumour Immunology group at SCGH to train junior scientists in advanced scientific methogs. Also established an annual Tumour Immunology Conference in Perth, which has attracted 25 visiting speakers from overseas and interstate to WA, including Nobel Laureate Prof Peter Doherty.

Comments (anonymous) from the University of Western Australia Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (from medical students' nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award)

• ‘Prof Robinson is one of the most inspiring teachers I have ever had’.

• ‘I don’t have many role models but Bruce has become one of them’

• ‘His dedication to his patients and his ability to communicate his genuine compassion to them also sets a good example for medical students.

• Prof Robinson is not only an excellent doctor but a true teacher, and deserves recognition as such. He is reminder of why we chose medicine as a career’.

3.2  DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SKILLS AND TRAINING INSTITUTE IN HEALTH [ISTIH]

ISTIH is  an organisation established in collaboration with the University of WA, the Health Dept of WA, Curtin University, Siloam Health Care and the University of Indonesia to provide training in medicine, nursing and other health areas to post-tsunami Aceh and other areas of Indonesia. It was started in response to the need for medical training in  Aceh following the Indian Ocean tsunami but has grown to embrace training in all areas of health in the region.
I have found that many doctors, nurses and allied health workers are willing to help in areas of need in the region, provided their visits can be facilitated and co-ordinated. ISTIH does that.

• co-founded ISTIH in 2005 with Profs Michael Henderson and Linda Kristiansen  http://www.brucerobinson.com.au/ISTIHTEMP.htm ).

• lectured on this subject in Australia to various groups to raise awareness and recruit other doctors and nurses to the program, eg.to Royal Melbourne Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, medical student groups, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Mensa, churches and other community groups

• conducted disaster preparedness training for visiting senior Acehnese doctors, nurses and public health officials in WA in 2007

• delivered a team-based training course in disaster and emergency preparedness to staff at the Rumah Sakit Umum Zainan Abadan in Banda Aceh, August 2007

 
Comment: I am often asked why I do this sort of stuff. I guess it's because I was taught, mostly by my father, that we are not on this planet just for personal success - we should do our best in whatever we choose to do, but at the same time make sure we leave the world in a slightly better way than if we hadn't been here. He was a deputy mayor, RSL President and a bunch of other things. He also ran a youth club to 'keep the kids of Basso off the streets"  and he taught them leadership. One evening at the Club he was nearly beaten and had his shirt torn off his body by some thugs. He had many of his own problems but he profoundly influenced his children to be contributors to the community. I am motivated by the idea that we are put here to serve, not to be served, but I don't claim anything noble or altruistic in that - it is actually quite selfish of me, because for me life has been full of joy, love, laughter, wonderful people and rich experiences by living this way, so why change?
My final comment [in the unlikely event that anyone has read my boring website this far] is that the main thing I don't like about these summary lists is that they don't reflect the most important things in life, such as being a caring father, husband, friend etc. Although I am no great shakes in any of these roles, I would rather be judged by them than by anything else. 

NON PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Windsurfing, swimming & hiking

Football (Australian Rules) Over 400 competitive games as player or coach. University Football Club Selected in All-Australian Intervarsity Football Team, 1972 and 1973.  Player 1968-73, 1975 & 1979. Coach, University A-grade Colts Football Team (1981, 1985, 1986, 1987) and Head Coach and A-grade Coach (1988, 1989). 3 premierships. Coached WAAFL record of 52 consecutive games undefeated. Clubman of the Year 1987.  Life Member from 1989. Australian Coaching Association member. Swan Districts Football Club  Reserves and League Football 1974. Life Time Social Member. Link to Football Coaching Manual.
PS. Dont be fooled by these facts. I was only an average player and an OK but not outstanding coach.
Cricket  Played with Bassendean-Bayswater, University and Nedlands (W. Australia), Goroka (Papua New Guinea) and Southchurch (UK) Cricket Clubs. Member, Western Australian Cricket Association.
Also enjoy wine tasting, travel, music, chess, poetry, languages and physics.

PROFESSIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE
Currently Chairman of the State Health Research Advisory Council of the Health Dept of WA. Formerly on NHMRC Research Committee and Program Grants Committee. Member of 10 other local and national committees. Chairman of the Asbestos Working Party of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) & former President of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group.  Currently a member of 2 other NHMRC committees plus 21 Professional Societies and at least 20 Journal review panels. Royal Australasian College of Physicians clinical examiner. 

Link to full resume, publications etc.