Leslie Burnett

Professor Leslie Burnett is Principal Medical Geneticist and Medical Director within the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, and Genetic Pathologist within the Immunology and Immunity Theme, at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Dr. Burnett is a Clinical Pathologist, with a scope of practice in Genetic Pathology and Chemical Pathology (Clinical Chemistry), and research in computational biology and bioinformatics.

He pioneered the development of a number of pathology and genetics initiatives, which are today mainstream clinical services. These include founding Australia’s first Community Genetics program, being Medical Director of Australasia’s first Whole Genome Sequencing laboratory, and developing the world’s first pre-and post-analytical quality assurance programs in pathology. He has served as Ministerial appointee, Chairman, or President of a number of National and International bodies in pathology and genetics.

In 2022, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia within the Australian honors system, for “significant service to pathology, to medical research, and to professional societies”.

Professor Burnett is a Conjoint Professor at the School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent’s Clinical Campus, UNSW Sydney, Honorary Professor in Pathology and Genetic Medicine in the Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, and has been an Honorary Associate of the School of Information Technologies at the University of Sydney.

He is a passionate teacher and communicator about the genetics and genomics revolution.