A University of Queensland researcher developing targeted treatments for life-threatening diseases has been named the 2024 Queensland Young Tall Poppy of the Year.
Associate Professor Joy Wolfram is leading research on cell-to-cell communication to develop more targeted and effective drug delivery methods and treatments for cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and kidney disease.
Dr Wolfram and her team are leveraging the body's natural ability to communicate between cells to deliver instructions to specific locations in the body, with the ability to block disease-causing mechanisms.
Eight UQ researchers were also recognised as finalists in the 2024 Young Tall Poppy Awards for their high calibre research addressing complex social and environmental challenges.
Led by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, the awards celebrate accomplished Australian scientists across each state and territory who are at the forefront of research in their fields, and demonstrate commitment to promoting science to the broader community.
The UQ 2024 Young Tall Poppy finalists for Queensland are:
- Dr Nasim Amiralian - transforming agricultural waste into sustainable commercial products including food packaging, medical devices and antimicrobial surface coatings to tackle food and plastic waste challenges.
- Dr Richard Bade - development of wastewater-based epidemiology methods to help detect and monitor illicit drug use nationally and internationally and inform interventions to reduce harm from potentially dangerous recreational drugs.
- Dr Taylor Dick - improving understanding of musculoskeletal form and function and development of wearable assistive devices to restore and enhance human movement.
- Dr Matthew Holden - applying mathematical theories to inform conservation strategy and policy across sustainable agriculture, invasive species control and fisheries management.
- Dr Shelley Keating - development of safe, feasible and personalised exercise guidelines for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease that improves prevention and slows progression of the disease.
- Dr David Klyne - strengthening understanding of chronic pain and the impact of sleep and physical activity on immune responses that influence severity.
- Dr Lena Oestreich - investigating the role of neurobiological factors in the development of depression and complex trauma, with the aim of developing more personalised therapies.
- Dr Elvis Okoffo - improving understanding of the distribution and abundance of plastic pollution in Australian environments and its impacts on ecosystems, wildlife and human health.
The awards are held across each state, and in Queensland are a joint initiative with the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist.
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