NHMRC grants reflect strength of niversity of Melbourne’s research

The University of Melbourne along with partner institutes have attracted almost $65 million in the latest National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding round, announced today by Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt.

A range of Investigator Grants will tackle some major social issues such as the health and well-being of transgender Australians, and improving the health status and reducing the mortality gap for vulnerable young Australians.

Researchers will continue to focus on all key areas of health like cancer, managing asthma, mental health, improving systems in our hospitals, infections and developing new vaccines of the future against respiratory diseases and SARS-CoV-2-like viruses.

Professor Jim McCluskey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) welcomes the latest grant announcement.

“Such success speaks to the critical role a university plays in supporting successful partnerships and collaborations to carry out fundamental and applied research in responding to the major social, economic, environmental and medical challenges impacting our communities,” he said.

“Organisations such as the NHMRC are key to not only fighting the current pandemic, but in shaping the world beyond COVID-19. I extend my congratulations and appreciation to all staff who have contributed to these significant efforts.”

Professor Jane Gunn, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences believes we are building a better future by investing in medical research.

“It is exciting to see such remarkable research into important problems. I congratulate all NHMRC recipients and believe this range of diverse projects will result in real impact across the full spectrum of health and medical research,” she said

Funded projects include:

• Associate Professor Kimberley Haines, Western Health – Co-designed Critical Care Recovery
• Dr Hyon Xhi Tan, Doherty Institute – Driving rational improvement of vaccines against respiratory viruses
• Associate Professor Jo Robinson, Centre for Youth Mental Health – Using social media to reduce suicide and self-harm in young people
• Associate Professor Jason Trubiano, Austin Health – Understanding approaches for antibiotic allergy to improve prescribing and medication safety in health services
• Dr Freya Shearer, University of Melbourne – Mitigating the impacts of infectious disease emergencies

In addition to Investigator grants, the University was successful in attracting funding for new and innovative Centres for Research Excellence (CRE).

These include:

• Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies led by Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO
• Promoting better brain health for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – On TRACK (Teaching, Research And Community Knowledges) led by Associate Professor Dina LoGiudice
• Precision Public Health Approaches to Breast Cancer Screening, Early Detection and Mortality Reduction led by Professor John Hopper
• CRE for Enhanced Dementia Diagnosis (CREEDD) will be led by Doctor Scott Ayton, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Professor Peter Hudson also received funds in the category of Targeted Call for Research into End-of-Life Care focussing on improving the wellbeing of people with advanced cancer and their family carers.

Visit the NHMRC website for a full list of University of Melbourne grant recipients.