05 Nov 2009
The HMRI Award for Research Excellence, supported by the Sparke Helmore / NBN Television Triathlon, recognises the Hunter’s leading researcher. This year’s recipient is stroke researcher Associate Professor Chris Levi from Hunter New England Health.
Associate Professor Chris Levi has made significant contributions to the global research effort to improve the health of people who suffer a stroke.
Chris completed medical training at the UNSW and further studies in neurology in
Associate Professor Levi leads a talented team of clinical and medical researchers who are tackling stroke from many perspectives.
“Their new model of pre-hospital stroke care has demonstrated how to overcome the time barrier to delivering effective stroke treatment in both metropolitan and now, rural regions. This has lifted stroke treatment rates in the Hunter to above international best practice,” said HMRI Director, Professor Maree Gleeson.
“Importantly, it has made world class stroke treatment available to our community, saving many lives and reducing the devastating impacts of a stroke on the person and their families.”
In addition to his role as Director of Acute Stroke Services at
The HMRI Award for Early Career Research, sponsored by PULSE, supports a promising researcher in the early stage of their career. This year the HMRI Award for Early Career Research, has been jointly awarded to two of the Hunter’s outstanding young researchers: Associate Professor Philip Morgan and Dr Lisa Wood, both from the
Associate Professor Morgan’s research focuses on encouraging physical activity and healthy eating in children, and developing and delivering weight loss interventions for men. A/Prof Morgan is a credible advisor on how
He is poised to become an international leader in his field. Importantly, his research is already making a difference to those who have participated in his studies here in the Hunter.
Dr Lisa Wood has established a successful nutrition research team within the HMRI VIVA Program and the
Her internationally significant research is focused on exploring the relationship between dietary fat in airway inflammation, and the link between obesity and airway disease.
Dr Wood has already made a major discovery: that antioxidants in food can modify airway inflammation. Dr Wood demonstrated that increasing the level of antioxidants in a person’s diet impacts on airway inflammation, which in turn, reduces asthma symptoms.
“Our early career researchers exemplify the HMRI vision to build research excellence and healthier communities,” said Professor Gleeson.
“Our future is in good hands.”
The PULSE Education Prize supports early career researchers and research students to further their education by helping them to attend major international conferences where they can present their research.
Dr Katie Ashton
Dr Katie Ashton is investigating the molecular basis of skin cancers caused by UV light.
Katie is a member of the HMRI Information Based Medicine Program and the University’s Priority Research Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery & Information-Based Medicine.
Katie has extensive knowledge of a number of cancer syndromes. In 2006 Katie was awarded an Early Career Research Grant by HMRI Life Governor Jennie Thomas to conduct a six month research exchange at the German Cancer Research Centre. This resulted in a highly successful breast cancer research collaboration with leading cancer researcher Professor Ute Hamann and a publication in a prestigious international journal.
Katie was awarded her PhD from the
Katie is currently the Mrs Joyce and Dr George Bogner HMRI Cancer Research Fellow.
The PULSE Education Prize will enable Katie to attend the American Association for Cancer Research Meeting in April 2010. It is the world’s largest cancer research meeting with more than 15,000 participants from 60 countries.
This will enable Katie to present her current research on the genetics of skin cancer; expand her knowledge in all areas of cancer research; and identify potential collaborations with internationally renowned cancer researchers.
Dr Tracy Burrows
Dr Tracy Burrows, an Accredited Practising Dietitian, is currently contributing to a number of research projects in the area of childhood obesity.
She also lectures in the
The PULSE Education Prize will enable
Dr Linda Campbell
Dr Linda Campbell is investigating a common genetic disorder called velo-cardio facial syndrome (VCFS) and its relationship to schizophrenia.
More than 25 per cent of young people with VCFS develop psychosis. Linda is investigating the characteristics of the syndrome and aims to identify predictors of psychosis in adolescents with the syndrome. If young people with a high risk of developing mental health problems can be identified early, they can be monitored and treated, to improve their quality of life.
Linda was awarded her PhD from
The PULSE Education Prize will enable Linda to attend the Biannual International Conference on VCFS (also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome) in the
The conference will enable Linda to hear about developments in the field, present her research and build international collaborations. It is an opportunity for Linda to discuss current and future projects with her VCFS collaborators from the
At the VCFS Educational Foundation Meeting in the
Click here to read more about the Project Grant Winners
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