A $10 million funding boost will support the next generation of health and medical researchers to increase research capacity within Australia through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Postgraduate Scholarship scheme.
NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships fund successful applicants to attain a research-based postgraduate degree - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Research Masters Degree.
This total funding amount will be distributed between 73 exceptional health and medical graduates to develop capability for original independent research and expand the capacity of the health and medical research workforce.
By 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set targets to reduce Hepatitis C incidence and mortality among people living with HIV.
Mr Alexander Thomas of the Burnet Institute will use data from the international collaboration of HIV cohort studies to explore whether countries with broad access to treatment can achieve WHO targets.
Mr Thomas's PhD project will also determine the impact COVID-19 had on progress towards these targets and what additional interventions are needed to achieve them.
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive incurable cancer that is currently treated with intensive toxic chemotherapy - novel therapies are desperately needed.
La Trobe University researcher, Dr Zoe Loh, will analyse the efficacy and safety of a novel agent (acalabrutinib) combined with chemotherapy in treating MCL.
Dr Loh will use specialised imaging to look for genetic and immune markers that affect outcomes, aiming to improve the MCL treatment for future patients.
Full details on all 2024 Postgraduate Scholarships are available to download on NHMRC's Outcomes of funding rounds webpage.
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh:
- "NHMRC postgraduate scholarships offer unique professional development opportunities for research students to learn from their mentors, share their skills and discover the next medical breakthrough.
- "The future of Australia's health and medical research sector looks even brighter with today's funding announcement - congratulations to all successful postgraduate scholars."
