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Three Australian Scientists Awarded $A1m Research Fellowships

Friday October 1, 2004

Scientists from three states undertaking groundbreaking work into HIV, brain disorders and ageing are being inducted into a $1m grants program, it was announced today.

The Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships are each worth $A1m over five years and in 2004 are awarded in critical fields like brain stem cell activity, HIV and neuropsychiatric disorders. (Two Fellowships were awarded in the inaugural year and from next year only two will be awarded annually.)

The 2004 recipients are:

• Associate Professor Lea Williams of the Brain Dynamics Centre at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney for internationally-recognised research into the cause and treatment of brain disconnections in major neuropsychiatric disorders. These include schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the research integrates a range of brain imaging techniques;

• Dr Johnson Mak of Monash University and Melbourne’s Macfarlane Burnet Institute for research into the replication of HIV pathogens and the search for new targets for AIDS therapy. This may lead to novel treatments and prevention strategies, including new antiviral treatments and vaccines, and;

• Dr Rodney Rietze of the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland for his innovative study of brain stem cell markers. Dr Rietze is a developmental neurobiologist, researching the regulation of brain stem cell activity. His work could lead the way in treating debilitating neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries, such as motor neuron disease and stroke, as well as normal brain ageing.

This year’s Fellowships were awarded by Pfizer Inc’s Senior Vice President of Science and Technology, Dr Peter B. Corr, in Melbourne.

Dr Corr said the Fellowships are further a demonstration of the commitment Pfizer Australia has to innovative research in this country, which amounts to more than $A40m in 2004 alone.

“Through the significant financial support of programs like the Pfizer Australia Research Fellowship, we aim to encourage leaders in biomedical research to establish a career in this country,” Dr Corr said.

Pfizer Australia’s Director of Corporate Policy, Greg Massey, said the Fellowships are a tangible demonstration that Australia’s researchers are the equal to any in the world.

“Support of this level is vital for the future of both biomedical science and Australian society,” Mr Massey said.

“It not only shows we’re a world centre of biomedical research, but is contributing significantly to the future health of all of us.”

Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships from 2003 are:

• Dr Sally Dunwoodie (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst) for work in defining the functions of novel genes during embryonic development, and identifying the genetic basis of a human birth defects that results in skeletal abnormalities;

• Dr Steven Stacker (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne) for researching blood vessel growth factors to determine new targets for treatment of metastatic cancer.

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 in more than $A40m in local research and development in 2004.

For more information visit Research Fellowships on this site.