UNSW: The University of New South Wales - Sydney Australia - News

24 November 2003

Associate Professor Levon Khachigian of the UNSW Centre for Vascular Research was presented last night with the Quantum Scientific Australian Life Science Research Award. The honour caps off a year of awards and prizes recognising his innovative work.

The Quantum Scientific award, which is supported by the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) and Today's Life Science, recognises excellence in research by a young Australian scientist. The award was presented at this year's ASMR conference in Adelaide.

Professor Khachigian's research has greatly increased understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms which switch harmful genes on and off in cells of the artery wall. His work has led to the development of new DNA-based drugs that block arterial renarrowing after balloon angioplasty and solid tumour growth. His ground-breaking research has been published in top scientific journals such as Nature Medicine and Science.

The past 12 months have also brought the following recognition:

The University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, in August. The prize is awarded for outstanding, curiosity-driven scientific research by an Australian scientist under the age of 40, which is judged to be under-appreciated by the Australian public.
The 2003 Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research, in June. The award, introduced in 2000, is made to a distinguished Australian health or medical researcher in recognition of their outstanding achievement and potential.
The National Heart Foundation in May gave Professor Khachigian an award for the high quality of his research project for which he gained a NHF grant.
The 2003 Gottschalk Medal (conferred in December last year) is the most prestigious award of the Australian Academy of Science for achievements in biological and medical sciences by a researcher under 40 years of age.

He was one of five UNSW alumni honoured last month for their outstanding contributions to business and commerce, science and technology, and the community. He was recognised for his outstanding achievements in health and medical research, in particular in the area of vascular research.

Further information is available at the Centre for Vascular Research website.

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