Prof Judith Whitworth - a specialist in hypertension, and current director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research - has been appointed for a three-year term as chair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Advisory Committee on Health Research.

The committee's role includes advising on health research priorities and evaluating research activities.

"This committee is crucially important as it greatly influences the direction and function of health research around the world. I'm sure under Professor Whitworth's leadership it will continue to ensure the success of the World Health Organisation's research programs," said former committee-member Prof Gordon Ada, also of the John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Prof Whitworth's has previously held the positions of Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer and president of the Australian Society for Medical Research.