Edwina Cornish

Edwina Cecily Cornish is an Australian biologist and academic, specialising in biotechnology. Between 2012 and 2016 she was Provost and Senior Vice-president of Monash University. She was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Adelaide and then at Monash University.

Early life and education Cornish studied at the University of Melbourne, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc (Hons)) degree in biochemistry and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in microbiology.

Cornish joined Monash University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) in 2004, and was promoted to Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2009. Between 2012 and 2016 she was Provost (Chief Academic Officer) and Senior Vice-president of Monash University.

In November 2015, Cornish was appointed a board member of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation for a five-year term.

Honours In 2001, Cornish was awarded the Centenary Medal "for service to Australian society in biotechnology and university administration".

On 13 March 2013, Cornish was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women "for providing inspirational leadership as a pioneer in the biotechnology industry and as a transformational leader at Monash University". She is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE).