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Queensland mum wins $1 million for malaria research

Wednesday November 22, 2006

A Queensland researcher and first-time mother has been awarded $1 million in funding to carry out biomedical research in Australia.

Dr Denise Doolan is a visiting scientist at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR). She is also currently the Scientific Director of the Malaria Program, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), in Silver Spring, USA.

Her research focuses on the field of malaria – specifically, developing vaccines against malaria, understanding the molecular basis of immunity to malaria, and translating Plasmodium falciparum genomic sequence data for practical application.

The Pfizer Australia Fellowships fund research over five years and were presented by Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne, and Nobel Laureate, Dr Robin Warren, in Sydney today.

Dr Doolan underwent two days of intensive presentations and questioning before an independent assessment panel, just a fortnight after giving birth to a baby girl who travelled with her to Sydney for the selection process.

Dr Doolan said the grant would enable her to bring her research work back home to Australia and to resume her local career.

Since the Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships were established in 2003, Pfizer Australia has allocated $11 million in funding to Australian scientists. Just two are being awarded this year, the other to Melbourne immunologist Dr Stephen Turner.

The Fellowships aim to encourage leaders in biomedical research to establish a career in Australia, fostering the continued development of Australia as a source of world-class scientific innovation and ideas.

Pfizer Australia senior medical director Dr Bill Ketelbey said the Fellowships support the development of the Australian scientific community and innovative research projects.

“Australia has benefited significantly from having a strong and internationally competitive scientific community,” Dr Bill Ketelbey said.

“Continued investment in this valuable resource is essential to the future progress of Australian research.

“The Pfizer Australia Research Fellowship invests in Australian science by providing grants to outstanding young biomedical scientists so they may commit to a research career locally.

“The Fellowships are awarded to individual scientists of demonstrated capability, with significant future potential to attain leadership in their chosen field of research.”

The 2007 Pfizer Australia Fellows join nine other Pfizer Australia Pfizer Fellows who are undertaking research in Australia.

The Fellowships allow successful applicants to continue their program of research at an Australian university or research institution, by providing a five-year grant covering salary, travel and other establishment costs.

Pfizer Australia is the nation’s leading research-based health care company. It discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical treatments for both humans and animals. Pfizer Australia is investing more than $45 million in local research and development. For more information visit the links on this website.