Fulbright forges global research collaborations – even during COVID-19
Two University of Newcastle researchers have been awarded prestigious Australian-American Fulbright Scholarships, along with the University's sponsored Distinguished Chair award in 2021
The Fulbright Program has been established for 71 years to foster the exchange of ideas and research knowledge. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, it too has had to rethink the way it works.
In 2021, we have the honour of receiving three Fulbright opportunities.
Professor Neil Spratt and his team will collaborate with Fulbright Distinguished Chair, Professor Jenny Majersik on Clinical Stroke Trials Innovation Through Telemedicine and Policy.
The team has not allowed the travel restrictions of COVID-19 to stand in the way of the project, and since January 2021, Professor Majersik has collaborated with Professor Spratt and his team over weekly Zoom meetings and email – and she hopes to come to Australia in late 2021 when travel restrictions lift to work on the project.
“The team has been so warm and welcoming,” Professor Majersik says.
“Even though we aren’t together in person I’m already learning so much.”
Professor Majersik is a clinical stroke neurologist and Principal Investigator of Utah StrokeNet, managing the hub at the University of Utah Hospital and nine stroke centres across three sparsely populated Western US states. She is also the Director of the UUH Telestroke network.
It’s through this work that Professor Majersik has identified the need to improve clinical trials access and retention for people in rural and remote areas. “We often have patients who are flown hundreds of miles to the University of Utah for acute stroke care but then do not have the time or finances to travel back here for follow-up if enrolled in clinical stroke trials,” Professor Majersik says. “It has struck me that our existing telemedicine network could be used not only for clinical care but also to enable such patients to have full access to top notch clinical trials.”
As a telestroke expert and clinical stroke trialist, Professor Majersik hopes to learn from our local researchers about how they have used telemedicine to improve access to clinical trials for rural patients. “University of Newcastle and HMRI are ahead of the curve in terms of using telemedicine for clinical trials enrolment. I hope to learn from their researchers how to expand our existing telemedicine networks for clinical assessments across our large rural patient base so that both urban and rural patients can benefit from the newest therapies.”
Australia is home to a growing number of telestroke networks
The Newcastle network serving as the backbone. The team of researchers and clinicians based at the University of Newcastle and HMRI services patients over very large distances. And it’s through this, that they’ve gathered a lot of knowledge that they’re keen to share with global collaborators.
Weeding out novel proteins
Dr Joseph Pegler has been awarded a Fulbright Future Fellowship to advance his work in plant biology to improve food security and sustainability. Dr Pegler’s stated aim is to ‘leave the world in a better state than which he found it,’ which is where his research comes in.
Dr Pegler aims to direct his scientific skills to addressing the global issues of sustainable crop production and food security. His work to-date has focussed on engineering crop plants that are more readily able to adapt to stressors such as drought, a condition enhanced by climate change.
Food security is one of our greatest global concerns, and Dr Pegler’s work could play a part in a vital step towards providing food security for an ever-growing population.
Dr Pegler has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to work with research teams at the University of Minnesota which will also enable him to develop a productive and collaborative relationship with the plant science communities in the United States.
“I’m extremely passionate about making a positive change through research, and this opportunity will help drive that goal,” Dr Pegler says.
“Being awarded a Fulbright is an honour that I will embrace thoroughly. I look forward to filling gaps in our fundamental understanding of plant science for the development of better yielding plants.”
This opportunity will enable to Dr Pegler to make a positive change through research, advocacy and student education. Having the chance to work alongside world-leaders in the field through this collaborative research project will benefit generations for years to come.
Medicinal cannabis policy and patient health outcomes
Myfanwy Graham’s Fulbright research will compare medicinal cannabis policy and patient outcomes in the US and Australia. This work is exploring each country’s unique approach to medicinal cannabis policy and the impact on public health, clinical practice and patients.
As part of her Fulbright, Ms Graham will collaborate with Professor Rosalie Pacula, University of Southern California, who is leading several studies into the impact of cannabis and opioid policy.
This work aligns with the clinical and research work Ms Graham has undertaken as the Principal Specialist Medicines Information Pharmacist of the innovative, NSW Government-funded NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service and researcher within the Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE).
“We have been working with researchers, regulatory bodies and clinicians to facilitate sharing of knowledge between these different groups - ultimately facilitating translation of research into clinical practice. At the heart of it, it all comes back to the patient and the hope that translating the research we do can help individuals,” Ms Graham said.
“From a public health perspective, there is a significant opportunity to explore how each country’s diverse approaches to medicinal cannabis policy have influenced key patient outcomes. The research brings together leading medicinal cannabis researchers to join forces and progress knowledge in this area.”
There has been widespread medical cannabis use to treat a variety of conditions globally although there are still research gaps in many areas.
“The Fulbright medicinal cannabis research will address an area that is of importance to patients, researchers, policymakers, and the broader community,” Ms Graham said.
The Fulbright Programs offer the University of Newcastle researchers to develop long-lasting and productive relationships in the US and beyond.
Find out more about Fulbright opportunities here
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