NHMRC recognises excellence in the health and medical research sector through its annual Research Excellence Awards. Find our 2023 award winners listed below.
Winners
The following is a list of winners of the 2023 Research Excellence Awards.
Professor
Patrick
Sexton
NHMRC Peter Doherty Investigator Grant Award (Leadership)
Institution
Monash University
Research title
Structure, function and modulation of peptide hormone G protein-coupled receptors
Professor Patrick Sexton is the Professor of Pharmacology at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and is the Director at the ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins. Professor Sexton is a leader in progressing our understanding of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly allosteric modulation and biased agonism, and applying cryo-EM to study structure and dynamics of GPCRs. He is a Clarivate Analytics highly cited researcher and an elected Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS). Professor Sexton is also the co-founder of Septerna Inc and DACRA Tx and has been the recipient of many awards for his scientific contributions that have had major impacts on biological chemistry research.
Research overview
Cell surface proteins called G protein-coupled receptors, or GPCRs, provide critical control of communication within the body to maintain optimal human health. Dysregulation of these proteins can lead to disease, but they can also be targeted to treat disease. Indeed, GPCRs are current targets of ~30% of approved drugs. GPCR function can be altered by accessory proteins but how they do this is poorly understood. This research program applies cutting edge methodologies in structural biology, biophysics and pharmacology to addresses this key knowledge gap to provide new opportunities for novel drug discovery and development.
Read more about the Peter Doherty Investigator Grant Award.
Dr
Sean
Humphrey
NHMRC Peter Doherty Investigator Grant Award (Emerging Leadership)
Institution
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Research title
Unlocking molecular vulnerabilities in childhood brain cancers
Dr Sean Humphrey leads the Functional Phosphoproteomics Laboratory at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne. Dr Humphrey’s research uses cutting edge mass spectrometers to create detailed molecular maps that capture how cells communicate and process information by regulating proteins. Dr Humphrey completed his PhD at the University of New South Wales before moving to Germany to undertake post-doctoral training at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (Germany). Dr Humphrey’s research pinpoints key molecular signals that are dysregulated in human disease, uncovering a myriad of new targets for future therapies.
Research overview
This research program leverages recent breakthroughs in mass spectrometry technologies that enable the large-scale analysis of the functional machines of the cell – proteins. Using this technology, detailed maps of all proteins will be generated from medulloblastoma cells, the most common malignant brain cancer in children. Combining this approach with complementary methods enabling the targeted disruption of specific proteins will offer mechanistic insights into the growth and survival of these cancer cells. The knowledge generated from this research will be essential to uncover effective new therapeutic targets for medulloblastoma.
Read more about the Peter Doherty Investigator Grant Award.
Dr
Jiayan
Liao
NHMRC Bernie Banton Investigator Grant Award
Institution
University of Technology Sydney
Research title
Biomarker MicroRNAs Profiling for Early Cancer Detection
Dr Jiayan Liao is a dedicated researcher specialising in the field of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, biomedical engineering, and their applications in medical diagnostics. Dr Liao’s research focuses on developing innovative diagnostic tools for early cancer detection, leveraging photonics, fluorescent nanoprobes, and artificial intelligence for precise detection of single-molecule biomarkers in diseases and cancers. Dr Liao is contributing to the advancement of diagnostic methodologies and technologies, aiming for non-invasive, early detection methods to improve patient outcomes.
Research overview
The research employs fluorescent nanoscopic probes for ultra-sensitive detection of oligo biomarkers, aiming for non-invasive, highly sensitive, and specific early disease detection. This innovative approach utilizes a nanoprobe library coupled with artificial intelligence to precisely identify single mesothelioma microRNA biomarkers. It promises earlier and more reliable cancer diagnoses, thereby enhancing patient outcomes. The program’s broader impact extends to detecting various cancers and diseases, advancing diagnostic tools, and contributing new insights in super-resolution imaging and multiplexed assay technology. The program’s broader impact includes detecting a wide range of biomarkers across various cancers and diseases, advancing diagnostic tools, and contributing new knowledge in super-resolution imaging and multiplexed assay technology.
Read more about the Bernie Banton Investigator Grant Award.
Dr
Johanna
Birrell
NHMRC Gustav Nossal Postgraduate Scholarship Award
Institution
University of Sydney
Research title
Epidemiology and equity of kidney failure in Australasia
Dr Johanna Birrell is a general physician and advanced trainee in public health medicine. Dr Birrell trained in both Australia and New Zealand and has a particular interest in rural health, Indigenous health, and health services research. Dr Birrell is completing her postdoctoral studies at the University of Sydney with concurrent clinical work. Her research explores geographic variation in kidney failure epidemiology and access to care across Australia and New Zealand. Dr Birrell has received awards including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians 2023 Aotearoa Trainee Research Award for Excellence in the Field of Adult Medicine and the Gerry Murphy Prize in 2022.
Research overview
The burden of kidney failure in Australia and New Zealand is anticipated to increase dramatically over coming years. Detailed epidemiologic data is needed to ensure that under-served population groups are identified and receive additional health support. This project will evaluate geographic and socio-economic variation in the epidemiology of kidney failure across Australia and New Zealand, through a public health and health services research lens. Detailed geo-spatial maps of regional kidney failure rates, trends and paired health service provision will be created to inform health service planning and targeted public health prevention strategies.
Read more about the NHMRC Gustav Nossal Postgraduate Scholarship Award.
Professor
Denise
Wootten
NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Awards - Basic Science (Leadership)
Institution
Monash University
Research title
Mechanistic understanding of biased agonism and dimerisation for co-targeting incretin receptors for metabolic diseases
Professor Denise Wootten is a Professor at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Monash node lead of the ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins. Her work is focused on understanding GPCR structure and function and has contributed major fundamental insights into drug-receptor interactions, how different drugs can promote differential signaling with distinct physiological outcomes and how this information can be leveraged for novel drug development. Professor Wootten was awarded the ASCEPT J&J New Investigator Award, ASCEPT/ JPS Lecturer Award and the Paxinos-Watson Award (Australian Neuroscience Society). She is a co-founder of DACRA Tx and advisor for Septerna Inc.
Research overview
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GLP-1R/GIPR) co-agonists are emerging as a superior therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes, obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), with some, but not all, co-agonists having higher clinical efficacy than “best in class” GLP-1R agonists, such as Ozempic. The role of the GIPR in superior efficacy and mechanistic understanding for efficacy differences of current drugs are unknown, reflecting a lack of understanding of vital paradigms of receptor function. This program applies cutting-edge techniques in structural biology, biophysics, pharmacology, and employs novel mouse models to address these knowledge gaps. This will inform the development of new and improved therapeutics for metabolic diseases.
Read more about the Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award.
Professor
Sharon
Lewin
AO
NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Awards - Clinical Medicine and Science (Leadership)
Institution
University of Melbourne
Research title
Novel interventions to treat and cure acute and chronic viral infections
Professor Sharon Lewin is the inaugural Director of the Doherty Institute, a joint venture of the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne Laureate Professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Her research has focused on strategies to achieve an HIV cure, enhancing clinical outcomes for people living with HIV and hepatitis B and the identification of novel treatments for COVID-19. She is internationally known for her development of laboratory models to study HIV latency and for leading innovative early phase clinical trials aimed at reversing HIV latency. Professor Lewin also chaired NHMRC’s Health Translation Advisory Committee from 2015–2018. Other major awards included Melburnian of the Year (2014), the Peter Wills Medal from Research Australia (2015), Officer of the Order of Australia (2019), and Medal for Outstanding Female Researcher by the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (2022).
Research overview
Better treatments are needed for virus infections. This project aims to exploit recent developments in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) activation and mRNA delivery using lipid nanoparticles (LNP) as well as pro-apoptotic drugs such as venetoclax to eliminate long lived infected cells that persist in people with HIV on antiviral treatment. This project will also explore novel approaches to reverse HIV-specific T-cell exhaustion as another pathway to a cure for HIV. Finally, it will leverage the expertise in mRNA-LNP that is developed for HIV, to deliver CRISPR-Cas13, an RNA editing enzyme, to the nasal mucosa as a novel approach to treat respiratory infections, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Read more about the Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award.
Professor
Jane
Pirkis
NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Awards - Public Health (Leadership)
Institution
University of Melbourne
Research title
Strengthening the evidence base for suicide prevention
Professor Jane Pirkis is the Director of the Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne. With a background in public health, Professor Pirkis has worked in the area of suicide prevention for over 25 years, contributing to knowledge about which interventions are effective in preventing suicide. Professor Pirkis’s work has also had a particular emphasis on media-based interventions and interventions that involve restricting access to means of suicide. Professor Pirkis has received the University of Melbourne’s Marles Medal (2021), an Outstanding Academic Mentor Award through the Australian Psychological Society (2021), as well the prestigious Erwin Stengel Research Award through the International Association for Suicide Prevention (2019). She is also the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Tasmania (2017) and has received a Lifetime Research LIFE Award through Suicide Prevention Australia (2010).
Research overview
Preventing suicide is critical. We know too little about how to do this, largely because the interventions we have available to us have not been evaluated in rigorous ways. This research will use cluster randomised controlled trials, data linkage studies and interrupted time series studies that will allow us to determine whether certain interventions work and provide good value for money.
Read more about the Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award.
Professor
Catherine (Katy)
Bell
NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Awards - Health Services (Leadership)
Institution
University of Sydney
Research title
Driving the transition to high value testing to benefit the health of all
Professor Katy Bell is a clinical epidemiologist and health services researcher at the Sydney School of Public Health. Professor Bell’s research evaluates the clinical effectiveness of health care, with a focus on medical tests used for screening, diagnosis and monitoring chronic disease. She is an NHMRC Fellow, and a member of the Medical Services Advisory Committee Evaluation Sub-Committee (MSAC ESC) which critically assesses the evidence supporting applications for new listings on the Medical Benefits Scheme. The quality and impact of Professor Bell’s work has been recognised by awards including a Robinson Fellowship through the University of Sydney (2023) and an Australasian Epidemiological Association Mid-Career Researcher Professional Development Prize (2022).
Research overview
Medical tests such as blood tests and imaging are done at higher rates than ever before. This can advance health if it helps people live longer or better. Unfortunately, the benefits are often small and may come with harms– false alarms, false reassurance, unnecessary diagnoses, and unnecessary treatment. Professor Bell’s vision is to transform approaches to medical testing to deliver high value care that benefits health and does not harm, and that minimizes unnecessary care and waste. Working in partnership with end-users, this project will generate robust policy and practice relevant evidence, and drive change from current low value testing.
Read more about the Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Grant Award.
Professor
Alta
Schutte
NHMRC Fiona Stanley Synergy Grant Award
Institution
University of New South Wales | The George Institute for Global Health
Research title
Solving Australia’s Hypertension Treatment Problem
Professor Alta Schutte, SHARP Professor and Principal Theme Lead of Cardiac, Vascular and Metabolic Medicine at the University of New South Wales and The George Institute for Global Health, focuses on implementing effective scalable interventions for global blood pressure control. Appointed Co-Chair of the National Hypertension Taskforce in 2022, she was recognised in 2023 as the Leading Researcher in Vascular Medicine by The Australian. Notably, she received the 2022 Harriet Dustan Award from the American Heart Association and the 2023 Peter Sleight Excellence award from the World Hypertension League. Her impactful work extends to improving cardiovascular health in Australia and beyond.
Research overview
Australia’s 32% blood pressure control rate, notably lower than Canada’s 68%, presents a critical health challenge with stagnant improvement over a decade. Annual treatment spending of $1.4 billion, largely from patient fees, emphasises the urgency for change. In response, Minister Butler launched the National Hypertension Taskforce. This Synergy program urges multi-disciplinary collaboration involving consumers, economists, and healthcare specialists. The program, guided by consumer acceptability, value for money, and scalability, introduces high-potential interventions. Diverse disciplines will tackle hypertension obstacles, seeking improved health and economic outcomes to counter high blood pressure’s toll of 25,000 yearly premature deaths and $90 billion lost productivity.
Read more about the Fiona Stanley Synergy Grant Award.
Professor
Anthony
Don
NHMRC Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant Award
Institution
University of Sydney
Research title
A new paradigm for how APOE genotype affects brain lipid homeostasis and dementia risk
Professor Anthony Don is Professor of Medical Biochemistry in the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney. His team develops and applies advanced mass spectrometry methods to investigate how alterations to brain lipid metabolism with ageing lead to dementia, to develop neuroprotective therapeutics, and to discover new biomarkers for demyelinating diseases. His research has uncovered deficits in lipid metabolism that destabilise myelin in the course of normal ageing and early in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. He also developed and coordinates the popular masters-level unit of study, Advances in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment.
Research overview
Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have a very limited effect, and a much stronger understanding of how and why the disease develops is needed to develop effective therapies. This project will determine how these APOE gene variants affect risk for AD. Specifically, the research will elucidate the normal function of APOE in regulating lipid membranes that control neurological function and determine how this function is affected by APOE gene variants. This will inform clinical trials aimed at correcting brain lipid metabolism to treat AD.
Read more about the Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant Award.
Professor
Roger
Chung
NHMRC Marshall and Warren Innovation Award
Institution
Macquarie University
Research title
Developing novel gene expression control mechanisms for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis gene therapies
Professor Roger Chung is the Professor of Neurobiology and Neurochemistry, and Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University. Professor Chung’s research employs a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the biochemical, molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin how neurons respond to injury or neurodegenerative disease, and how non-neuronal cells (glia) are involved in modulating this process. Professor Chung is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CelosiaTX and also leads the Neurochemistry and Molecular Therapeutics Group within the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research.
Research overview
Gene therapies represent an exciting therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of MND, involving the delivery of a therapeutic gene to the target cell (such as the motor neuron). This project will develop a novel technology for precise control of therapeutic gene expression, which could potentially be incorporated into any gene therapy being developed for MND.
Read more about the Marshall and Warren Innovation Award.
Professor
Zoe
McQuilten
2022 NHMRC David Cooper Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Award
Institution
Monash University
Research title
Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and ageing-related diseases: the ASPREE-CHIP Extension (ASPREE-CHIP-XT) Study
Professor Zoe McQuilten is a haematologist and the Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology, Head of the Cancer Research Program and Deputy-Director of the Transfusion Research Unit at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. Professor McQuilten leads a clinical research program, including clinical trials and registries, focused on supportive care for patients with blood diseases and improving the evidence for the use of blood products. She also holds leadership positions within the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group, the peak national body for blood cancer clinical trials, including as Chair of the Supportive Care Working Group.
Research overview
In otherwise healthy individuals, acquired genetic mutations that are normally associated with leukaemia and other blood cancers, can be detected in the blood or bone marrow (referred to as ‘clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential’). The presence of these mutations is more common with increasing age and has been associated with a number of diseases that are common in the elderly, including cardiovascular disease. This study will investigate how common this condition is and its consequences for health outcomes within a large longitudinal cohort of otherwise healthy participants aged 70 or older.
Read more about the David Cooper Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Award.
Associate Professor
Odette
Pearson
NHMRC Sandra Eades Investigator Grant Award (Emerging Leadership)
Institution
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Limited
Research title
Advancing health equity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population
Associate Professor Odette Pearson is of Eastern Yalanji and Torres Strait Islander descent and coleads the Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Her research focus is improving chronic disease and ageing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through policy and guideline development and implementing and evaluating real world health and social interventions. Aboriginal leadership, governance and community and cross sector partnerships are foundations of her research. A/Prof Pearson has received the Lowitja Institute Patricia Anderson Leader in Aboriginal Research (2023), UniSA Alumini Award for Research in Aboriginal Health (2022) and The Diane Ranck, SAHMRI award for Leadership in Research (2022).
Research overview
Health equity is fundamental to achieving good health. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to be the recipients of ‘differences which are unnecessary, unfair, unjust and avoidable’ across health and the social determinants of health. Using essential drivers of equity, namely: Indigenous leadership and governance, measurement and monitoring, intervention and capacity development, this program of research will establish and scale information and monitoring systems to generate new knowledge to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, clients, workforces, and services in the areas of Indigenous data governance, diabetes care and healthy ageing.
Read more about the Sandra Eades Investigator Grant Award.
Dr
Romain
Ragonnet
NHMRC Frank Fenner Investigator Grant Award (Emerging Leadership)
Institution
Monash University
Research title
Designing adaptive strategies to drive tuberculosis towards elimination
Dr Romain Ragonnet is a Senior Research Fellow in the Epidemiological Modelling Unit at Monash University. Dr Ragonnet specialises in the mathematical modelling of tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19, and his notable contributions include the first-ever quantification of TB mortality and self-recovery rates. Dr Ragonnet has advised various governments of lower-middle-income countries in the AsiaPacific region to assist the local control of TB and COVID-19. He also initiated and led multiple cross-disciplinary collaborations, creating a strong network of world-leading experts that spans mathematics, medical ethics, biostatistics, economics and clinical trials.
Research overview
TB remains a major infectious killer and 25% of the global population are estimated to have latent TB infection. While preventive treatment is recognised as a critical tool for effective TB control, its optimal implementation remains uncertain. Improved detection through active case finding (ACF) is also known to be effective to reduce TB burden. This project will use modelling to identify the best strategies combining preventive treatment and ACF in high TB burden countries.
Read more about the Frank Fenner Investigator Grant Award.