Four researchers from the UNSW CVMM Community will receive a share of the $56 million in investigator grants, funding 25 projects across the faculties of Medicine & Health, Science, and Arts, Design & Architecture.
Four researchers from the UNSW CVMM Community will receive a share of the $56 million in investigator grants, funding 25 projects across the faculties of Medicine & Health, Science, and Arts, Design & Architecture.
Director of Global Brain Health, The George Institute and at UNSW Medicine & Health, has received $2.98 million to develop innovative strategies to reduce the global burden of stroke.
“Stroke is a major cause of death and disability, worldwide. Some 60,000 Australians are affected by stroke each year. Survivors commonly suffer long-term disability, mood, memory and social problems, and family caregivers are affected. My research focuses on improving the design and conduct of clinical trials in order to develop better approaches to the prevention, treatment and recovery of those affected by stroke, not just in Australia but also in low-resource settings across the world.”
The George Institute and at UNSW Medicine & Health has received $2.92 million to lead a research program on better uses of affordable generic medicines.
“The focus is a new hypertension treatment for which I lead an FDA approval program; and a new use of a generic regarded as a breakthrough treatment for severe depression. The grant will help ensure NMHRC-funded trials are translated into patient benefits; build further research programs addressing major health issues; and help develop our next generation of health researchers.”
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute at UNSW Medicine & Health has been awarded $2.58 million to study the molecular basis of cardiac mechanotransduction, with a focus on Piezo ion channels
“Mechanical force is increasingly recognised as a major regulator of both cell structure and function with a significant role in pathology of disease. This is especially true for heart and lungs as both are mechanically very active organs. This research will study cellular membrane proteins that convert mechanical force into biological signals, which promises to make significant contribution to our understanding of their role in human health and disease.”
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Medicine & Health, , has been granted $2.79 million to apply genomics to diagnose and manage patients with inherited cardiac disorders, especially in children, adolescents and young adults.
“Cardiovascular diseases affecting children, adolescents and young adults are often genetic and can have significant burden including risk of sudden cardiac death. Genetic testing is a key part of management, however, only 40% have a genetic cause identified impacting on care of the family. My vision is to apply genomics and genetic counselling equitably, to improve care for all, to clarify diagnosis and refine risk for families with inherited cardiac diseases.”
The Investigator Grant Scheme provides five-year funding certainty for high performing health and medical researchers from all career stages.
This places UNSW second overall among Australia’s leading Group of Eight universities in this round of funding.