Eric Morand, MBBS (Hons), FRACP, PhD

Professor Eric Morand is the Head of the School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, and Director of Rheumatology at Monash Health. He graduated from medicine at Monash University, trained in rheumatology in Australia and at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, UK, and took his PhD at Monash University. 

His laboratory research focuses on glucocorticoid-induced mechanisms in the immune system, with the goal of leveraging natural mechanisms of glucocorticoid action to discover a safe replacement for them. His clinical research focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus, including clinical measurement, outcome predictors, and biomarkers.

Morand founded the Monash Lupus Clinic, Australia’s first multidisciplinary research-focused clinic for lupus; this formed the foundation of the Australian Lupus Registry and the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration, now among the largest longitudinal cohorts of SLE patients ever assembled. He led the development of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) treat-to-target endpoint, and currently leads an international consortium to redesign outcome measures for SLE trials. He was PI of the TULIP2 trial of the IFN receptor antibody anifrolumab, resulting in its regulatory approval for the treatment of SLE. 

Awards include the Lupus Research Alliance William E Paul Distinguished Innovator Award (2015) and Global Team Science Award (2022), and the Parr Prize of the Australian Rheumatology Association. In 2021 he was inducted into the Honour Roll of Monash University and in 2022 awarded Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Professor Morand is the 2022 recipient of the Evelyn V. Hess, MD, MACP, MACR, Award.