Colin Chesterman takes Ramaciotti medal

19 November 2003

Professor Colin Chesterman has won the 2003 Ramaciotti medal for excellence in biomedical research.

Professor Chesterman is director of haematology at the Prince of Wales Hospital and conjoint Professor of Pathology and Medicine at UNSW. He was honoured for his team's work in unravelling mechanisms underlying two of the intractable causes of intravascular thrombosis that are associated with disordered immunity. Their work has led to new diagnostic and treatment approaches in these conditions.

Professor Chesterman formed the Centre for Thrombosis and Vascular Research, now the Centre for Vascular Research, in 1992. It rapidly became the country's leading group in vascular biology.

"This award recognises the importance of research into blood coagulation and vascular biology," Professor Chesterman said. "It also acknowledges the wonderful work by my colleagues and research students over many years."

The Ramaciotti medal carries a cash prize of $20,000. Last night's presentation also saw the announcement of 63 grants worth more than $1.7 million from the Ramaciotti Foundations. Established by brother and sister Clive and Vera Ramaciotti, the Foundations have now donated more than six times their original establishment sum to Australian biomedical researchers.

Nine Ramaciotti awards, totalling $262,117, were given to UNSW researchers - four on campus, three at the Prince of Wales Hospital and two at the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute.

Further information about Professor Chesterman's work is available at the Centre for Vascular Research website.