This research program is aimed at finding effective prevention strategies for the important issue of falls in older people. It will: a) conduct studies to improve our understanding of fall risk in people with Parkinson’s disease and dementia; b) undertake a study to improve our management of dizziness; c) seek treatments for fear of falling, and d) evaluate home exercise interventions for older people at risk of falls and strength and cued walking training for people with Parkinson’s disease.
New Approaches For The Discovery Of Obesity Causing Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,910.00
Summary
Obesity is a major health problem and treatments are ineffective. My team’s focus is to identify new candidate genes that control appetite and body fat mass and how this leads to the development of obesity or the other extreme, anorexia. We will use whole genome sequence analysis in humans and functionally validate the newly identified genes in model organisms like mice and flies. Results from this study will eventually form the basis for personalized and general health care in the future.
Fall Prevention In Older People And Those With Neurodegenerative Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
Falls are a major heath care problem for older people and clinical groups. This program of research will improve fall risk assessments and design and evaluate promising strategies for improving balance control and preventing falls in these groups.
Improving The Prevention, Treatment And Management Of Cardiovascular & Chronic Disease In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
The identification, prevention and management of cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors and understanding impact on clinical outcomes is fundamental to improving health and well-being. The program of work encapsulated in this application utilises modern epidemiological research methods involving large scale clinical trials, registries and epidemiological modelling to advance our understanding and provide new directions for cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
Ovarian and endometrial cancer affect >3,200 women each year in Australia and 3 or 4 women die from these cancers every day. The overall aim of my program of research is to reduce the burden of these cancers in future generations of Australian women by increasing our understanding of (i) what causes them, (ii) how we can optimise patient management to enhance patient outcomes and (ii) how lifestyle changes might improve quality and life and survival, for women who are diagnosed with them.
Striking The Balance: Combining Best Patient Outcomes And Cost-effective Interventions To Manage Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
This research will combine effective patient outcomes with strategic spending of health dollars. Through detailed analyses of current and recent clinical trials on cardiovascular disease, this project will identify treatments that provide the most benefit to patients’ quality of life and, crucially, will also be the most cost-effective to fund. This will pave the way for similar processes to be used in other areas of health to develop cost-effective healthcare programs for vulnerable groups.
New Antibiotics And Treatment Methods Against Drug-resistant Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,468.00
Summary
Infectious disease is a leading cause of death, and the emergence of "superbugs" in the community and hospitals is of grave concern. We are developing new, powerful antibiotics that can kill superbugs using ‘forgotten’ drugs from the 1970s. These will combat bacteria that cause pneumonia, skin and urinary track infections; diseases that cause death and discomfort for thousands of Australians today. We will also develop methods to directly remove bacteria from blood infections.
Infertility remains a devastating disease for many couples, despite the success of IVF, as treatment is often unsuccessful, or remains out-of-reach for both health and/or financial reasons. My fellowship aims to improve our understanding of some of the causes of infertility in women. This will translate to a new infertility treatment that is safer for their health and provides for improved long-term health outcomes for their children.
Molecular Genetic Risk Factors And Mechanisms In Blinding Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
This project aims to understand the genetic causes of blinding eye diseases. We have recently identified genetic variation that contributes to the risk of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. We are exploring the mechanisms through which this leads to disease by looking at differences in the genes in patients with disease compared to unaffected individuals. We hope to be able to identify genes that could be the target of new therapies to prevent blindness and visual impairment in the community.