Phiona Stanley

Fiona Stanley AC is an Australian epidemiologist renowned for her pioneering research in child and maternal health, including links between maternal folate deficiency and birth defects like spina bifida. Born in Sydney in 1946, she earned her medical degree from the University of Western Australia, advanced her studies in epidemiology in London, and founded the Telethon Kids Institute in 1990, serving as its director until 2011. She continues as patron of the institute and a distinguished professorial fellow at the University of Western Australia.