Funding means healthy future for research

Wednesday 12 October 2005

The University of Newcastle has been awarded $5.7 million in the latest round of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants.

Eight teams of researchers have been awarded funding for projects, and three researchers have been awarded fellowships to continue to work and research at the University of Newcastle.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Adrian Page says, the University of Newcastle has always had outstanding success in obtaining research funding from the NHMRC and this year is no different.

"This is a pleasing result for the University and strengthens our national and international reputation as a research intensive university."

"Our researchers rank in the world's best and these grants will extend the vitally important work we are doing in health and medical research," says Professor Page.

NHMRC Grants awarded to research teams over three years:

Professor John Forbes $861,188 for the follow-up of the IBIS (International Breast Cancer Intervention Study), a prevention trial for high risk women. (This grant awarded over five years.)

Professor Brian Kelly $717,750 for research into mental health and wellbeing in rural and remote NSW. (This research was one of four NSW research projects highlighted by the NHMRC at the funding announcement. It will look at how factors, such as the drought and access to health and other services available to residents, impact on mental health in rural areas.)

Professor Mike Startup $606,475 for research into the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for young people at risk of serious mental disorders.

Associate Professor Robert Callister $423,950 for research into the understanding of how the brain can alter pain responses in the spinal cord.

Associate Professor Kenneth Beagley $420,625 for research into innate immunity and Chlamydia infection.

Dr Phil Hansbro $362,625 for the investigation of infection induced asthma.

Dr Alan Brichta $311,472 for research into the neural basis of recovery after loss of balance organs.

Professor John Aitken $232,500 for analysis of the causes of male infertility.

NHMRC Research Fellowships for:

Professor Leonie Ashman $626,250 Principal Research Fellow

Associate Professor Dirk Van Helden $626,250 Principal Research Fellow

Professor David Pow $572,500 Senior Research Fellow

For interviews and information on the grants contact Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Adrian Page on (02) 4921 5441. For interviews with researchers contact Kate Reid on (02) 4921 5351.