Monash has received more than $18 million through the National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative as part of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for four research projects.
The MRFF National Critical Research Infrastructure initiative aims to fund research infrastructure of critical importance which will be used to conduct world-class health and medical research in areas where medical needs have not yet been met.
The four Monash recipients are:
- Associate Professor Darren Creek – Monash Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Associate Professor Lisa Moran – Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- Dr Rebekah Henry – Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science
- Professor Paul Stupple – Monash Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences
Associate Professor Darren Creek was awarded $2,927,359 for his research into developing a drug target identification platform which will identify and validate the molecular targets of new drug candidates during the processes of pre-clinical and clinical development.
Dr Rebekah Henry was awarded $2,928,136 for the One Water Consortium which will develop Australia’s first multidisciplinary framework for the surveillance of waterborne communicable disease, which is a significant health concern within remote and indigenous communities.
Associate Professor Lisa Moran was awarded $2,918,586 for her project into improving health outcomes for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menopause and infertility through human-design and information technology.
Professor Paul Stupple was awarded $9,764,996 for MedChem Australia (MCA) to bring together three leading medicinal chemistry groups to guide early-stage projects in translating discoveries into commercially attractive drug candidates. MCA aims to deliver at least 12 pre-clinical candidates, six to 10 spinouts, and generate more than $1 million in revenue over five years.
Additionally, artificial intelligence and data privacy researchers led by Professor Chris Bain from the Faculty of Information Technology were awarded $6.1 million as part of a University of Queensland-led digital health project. The National Infrastructure for Federated Learning in Digital Health (NINA) project aims to use machine learning to access siloed health data and create a national data network without compromising data security.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rebekah Brown, said funding for research infrastructure is critical to support researchers in their work to create thriving communities.
“Monash has an international reputation for transformative research and leadership in biomedical innovation. This funding recognises the outstanding work of Monash researchers across medicine, pharmacy, engineering and information technology in progressing world-leading research to make an impact in human health and wellbeing.”
