Professor John Chalmers AC has had a significant presence on the medical stage in Australia, particularly in relation to medical research. He is committed to translation and led the integration of teaching and research with patient care as Foundation Professor of Medicine and later Dean at Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre (1975-1996).

He has an outstanding record in hypertension research, both fundamental and clinical. Professor Chalmers was admitted to the Australian Academy of Science in 1987 for his studies elucidating the neurotransmitters and brain pathways involved in baroreceptor control of blood pressure and contributing to essential hypertension. His studies on the treatment of high blood pressure for the prevention of heart attack and stroke have changed the way patients are treated throughout the world. His work has been recognised through many awards including the Wellcome Medal, the RT Hall Prize of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, The Zanchetti Lifetime Achievement Award of the European Society of Hypertension and the Volhard Medal of the International Society of Hypertension.

Some of the major positions Professor Chalmers has held include President, Australian Society for Medical Research, President, High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Chair, Research Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council, Chair, National Health and Medical Research Council, President, Royal Australasian College of Physicians and President, International Society of Hypertension. He also had a major influence on the development of Flinders University’s medical school and its major teaching hospitals, Flinders Medical Centre and Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park.

Professor Chalmers' contribution to medical science has been acknowledged through the award of many Honorary Doctoral degrees and extensive appointments on national and international boards and advisory committees. He was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) in 1991 and an Officer in the National Order of Merit of France in 2010.

John Chalmers remains an active researcher at The George Institute Australia, where he is a principal investigator on many research grants and Chair of steering committees for major studies, mentors young clinical researchers from around the world, and continues to publish and lecture prolifically.