The Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has invested $28 million in funding for Monash research projects that incorporate cardiovascular disease, diabetes, traumatic brain injury, COVID-19, stem cell therapies, international clinical trials and the development of Australia's transfusion data infrastructure.
The projects are part of the Government's long-term investment into world-leading medical research projects to improve the lives of all Australians.
Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said this MRFF funding would support projects making a tangible difference to the lives of patients and their families.
"These MRFF grants acknowledge the outstanding and innovative work of Monash researchers, and the positive contributions they are making to support thriving communities across Australia and the world," Professor Gardner said. "I warmly congratulate the research teams for this well-deserved recognition."
Deputy Dean of Research for the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor James Whisstock, said this latest round of MRFF funding recognises the significant breadth and diversity of research at Monash and speaks to our focus on healthy, thriving communities.
"This funding will help continue to progress some of our most important research programs to make a positive difference. Many congratulations to all the researchers and their fantastic teams," Professor Whisstock said.
The MRFF-funded projects include:
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH MISSION projects:
Using co-design to improve accessibility and acceptability of cardiac services for vulnerable populations: The Equal Hearts Study - $597,000
Led by Associate Professor Alison Beauchamp
Addressing the poor medication adherence in prevention of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Australia: development of a clinical decision support tool - $706,000
Led by Dr Stella Talic
Discovery of new molecular targets for stroke-associated pneumonia to improve recovery - $663,000
Led by Associate Professor Connie Wong
Improving short and long-term outcomes in cardiac bypass surgery by preventing acute knee injury - $511,000
Led by Professor David Nikolic-Paterson
Atheroma Progression in Clonal Haematopoiesis Investigation with Imaging, Biomarkers and Genomic Sequencing (ARCHIMEDES) - $996,000
Led by Professor Stephen Nicholls
PRecision Ecmo in Cardiogenic Shock Evaluation: PRECISE Study - $999,779.40
Led by Dr Aidan Burrell
Love Your Brain: A Stroke Prevention Digital Platform - $945,000
Led by Associate Professor Monique Kilkenny
Combining Novel Imaging Biomarkers with AI-Accelerated Diagnosis for Equitable Patient Selection to Proactive Treatment with Middle Meningeal Artery Embolisation to Improve Outcomes in cSDH - $999,865.70
Led by Professor Roland Bammer
STEM CELL THERAPIES MISSION project
Pre-clinical evaluation of selective adenosine A1 receptor positive allosteric modulators for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy $3,850,000
Led by Professor Patrick Kwan
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIAL COLLABORATION project
Adaptive platform trial for severe community acquired pneumonia: new interventions for severe CAP and influenza - $2,820,000
Led by Professor Steven Webb
COVID-19 HEALTH IMPACTS AND VACCINATION SCHEDULES projects
PROPHECY: Profiling immune Response in Paediatric and High-risk populations to SARS-CoV-2 - $6,330,000
Led by Associate Professor Menno van Zelm
A coordinated multiplatform randomised trial for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 - $4,000,000
Led by Professor Steven Webb
Pre-clinical testing of novel inhaled RNA therapies for stability, safety and effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 to demonstrate proof of concept - $500,000
Led by Professor Merlin Thomas
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY project
INFORMED: Integrative approaches For Optimising Recognition, Management and Education of concussion at the community sports level - $996,000
Led by Professor Biswadev Mitra
RESEARCH DATA INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE project
National Transfusion Research Data Infrastructure Initiative - $2,999,575
Led by Professor Erica Wood
