Dr. Edward Byrne accepts Honorary Degree at Schulich Medicine Convocation

Dr. Edward Byrne is a champion of international education, global citizenship and collaborative research. A neuroscientist and active clinician by training, he has made outstanding contributions to research and teaching in the field of neuromuscular disorders. Throughout his career, he has continuously demonstrated a commitment to a vision of international university networks.

Dr. Byrne began his academic career in 1971, with a bachelor of medical science from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), followed by his doctor of medicine (UTAS) and training as a neurologist in Adelaide, Australia and London, England. Dr. Byrne also holds a bachelor of surgery (UTAS), diploma in clinical science (University of Adelaide), doctor of science (University of Melbourne) and a master of business administration (University of Queensland).

In 2003, Dr. Byrne took on the role of executive dean, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University in Australia. During his term, he established a new branch of the medical school in Malaysia.

Dr. Byrne relocated to London, England in 2007, where he served as executive dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, head of the medical school and vice provost at University College London (UCL). In 2009, he was appointed to the position of president and principal of King’s College London.

Dr. Byrne has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia and the Companion of the Order of Australia. He is recognized as a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Edinburgh, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Association of Neurology.

Dr. Byrne is a Professor Emeritus, Monash University, recipient of the Queen Square Prize for Neurological Research at the UCL Institute of Neurology, and in 2014 received honorary degrees from the University of Adelaide and Warwick University.

In 2012, Dr. Byrne realized his vision of networked universities with the establishment of the Monash Warwick Alliance – a strategic partnership to facilitate collaboration and the exchange of knowledge between both institutions. He remains instrumental in establishing international networks, facilitating the relationship between the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities and the Group of Eight, a coalition of leading Australian universities.