La Trobe University researchers have secured more than $11 million in new Federal funding to support seven ground-breaking projects.
The projects, funded through the NHMRC Ideas Grant program, include the use of a digital storytelling tool to co-create Australia’s first integrated digital health tool to prevent alcohol use during pregnancy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; research to improve post-menopausal therapy for women to preserve cognitive function; and identification of the genes associated with breast cancer brain metastasis.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the projects funded by the program aimed to make a real impact on some of the most important issues in our community.
“These projects reflect La Trobe’s strengths in advancing healthier communities and supporting health equity, for which we’re ranked 12th in the world. I congratulate all the grant recipients on their funding success,” Professor Farrell said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Industry Engagement Professor Chris Pakes said the outcome was evidence of the University’s growing research strength in health and biomedicine.
“The significant success we have seen at La Trobe speaks to the level of excellence, and ambition, of our research staff and students,” Professor Pakes said.
“I offer my congratulations to these research teams and look forward to seeing the impact of their work as it develops, as well as continuing to build on these achievements in 2025.”
Ideas Grants 2024
Prof Kylie Lee, Dr James Conigrave, Nicole Hewlett, Dr Teagan Weatherall – (School of Psychology and Public Health) – $3,959,975
This project aims to co-create a digital storytelling tool to help health professionals to discuss the benefits of having an alcohol-free pregnancy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to inform strengths-based health promotion campaigns.
Prof Chris Sobey, Dr Michael De Silva, Dr Hyun Ah Kim – (School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment) – $2,103,948
This project aims to present a new concept for post-menopausal therapy to identify novel safe drug options to preserve cognitive function as well as cardiovascular health in women.
Dr Travis Johnson, Assoc Prof Sebastian Dworkin, Assoc Prof Zhen He – (School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment) – $1,288,922
This project aims to use a novel discovery pipeline to develop health restoring diets for Inherited Metabolic Diseases.
Dr Rebecca Chisholm – (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences) – $1,236,311
This project combines mathematical modelling, optimal design, and molecular and genomic epidemiology to address questions relating to Group A Streptococcus epidemiology, transmission and the design of future targeted investigations to effectively support control efforts.
Dr Shannon Hedtke – (School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment) – $1,000,690
This project aims to synthesise novel approaches in genomics and mathematic modelling to provide actionable advice on why lymphatic filariasis hotspots emerge and how interventions can be best targeted to eliminate this persistent yet preventable disease.
Prof Karla Helbig, Prof Adam Mechler – (School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment) – $994,120
This project aims to optimise the composition and delivery of artificial lipid droplets to boost the innate immune response and reduce the ability of viruses to replicate with the goal of developing a world-first universal antiviral therapeutic.
Dr Jean Berthelet (Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute / School of Cancer Medicine) – $794,866
This project aims to identify the genes associated with breast cancer brain metastasis by comparing the genetic information of cells. This knowledge will be used to predict which patients are at risk of relapse and what drugs could be used to prevent or treat brain lesions.
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