Dr Ken Winkel and friend

In July 1996, medical graduate and research immunologist, Dr Ken Winkel was appointed on a part time basis as Australian Venom Research Unit's deputy director. He converted to full time in 1997 after completing his PhD in immunology at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Ken Winkel was officially appointed Director of the Unit on the 1 April 1999. This was when Professor Sutherland, the foundation director, retired. Ken Winkel was awarded a Fellowship of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine (ACTM) at their Palm Cove meeting in April 1999. He is the ACTM President for 2004-2006.

Dr Winkel is also a CSL consultant on venoms and envenomations, part of the team behind the 24 hour medical advisory service provided by AVRU to doctors, poisons information centres and paramedical personnel, and a lecturer to medical and science students and graduates. He has presented numerous papers and posters at Australian and international meetings on venoms and related areas.