University of Queensland
Researchers from The University of Queensland have received more than $41 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2024 Investigator Grants to address health challenges.
The 24 UQ researchers will lead projects from the development of pain killers and anti-epileptic drugs using venom, to improving patient outcomes for ovarian, endometrial and thyroid cancers.
The Investigator Grants program is the NHMRC’s largest funding scheme, enabling researchers to advance projects across biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research.
2024 UQ Investigator Grants recipients:
- Dr Lauren Aoude will lead research to identify the genetic defects that increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.
- Dr Pablo Canete will lead research to inform the development of therapies for autoimmune disease.
- Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan will explore opportunities to use artificial intelligence and social media to reduce youth vaping.
- Professor Geoffrey Faulker will lead research to improve understanding about the impact of mobile DNA on neurodegenerative diseases and brain cell death.
- Dr Megan Ferguson will co-design healthy food retail policies to improve nutrition and reduce chronic disease in remote Indigenous communities.
- Associate Professor Frederic Gachon will lead research to improve understanding on how disruptions to the circadian rhythm impacts on liver and metabolic diseases.
- Professor Gail Garvey AM will lead research to improve First Nations cancer treatment outcomes for patients and carers, including preventative screening programs and end-of-life care.
- Professor Jürgen Götz will lead research to improve understanding on the use of low-intensity ultrasound to treat brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
- Dr Patrick Harris will lead the development of a diagnostic tool to improve treatment for patients with life-threatening and drug-resistant blood infections.
- Dr Pingping Han will lead research to inform non-invasive treatment options for gum disease.
- Associate Professor Sumaira Hasnain will lead research to strengthen understanding of how the white blood cell protein Interleukin-22 can improve liver health.
- Professor Monika Janda will lead research to inform targeted melanoma screening for individuals at high risk.
- Associate Professor Susan Jordan will lead research into the causes of ovarian, endometrial and thyroid cancers to improve prevention and patient outcomes.
- Professor Glenn King will lead the development of pain killers and anti-epileptic drugs using animal venom.
- Dr Richard Lobb will lead the development of detection technology to identify patients at early-stage risk of cancer.
- Dr Kristiana Ludlow will lead the development of a digital resource hub to improve understanding of frailty using education modules and goal-setting activities to prevent and manage decline in cognitive and physical capacity.
- Dr Marina Naval Sanchez will lead research to inform therapeutic strategies to reduce age-onset disease.
- Associate Professor Benn Sartorius will lead research to inform control and prevention strategies for priority infectious diseases in Australia and Pacific Islands.
- Dr Hao Song will lead the development of an oral-vaccine delivery platform to improve treatment of infectious and chronic diseases.
- Dr Mitchell Stark will lead research to strengthen understanding of melanoma development where there isn’t a preexisting mole on the skin.
- Dr Hana Starobova will lead research to reduce inflammation and nerve damage following cancer therapy.
- Dr Sarah Wallace will lead research to improve health outcomes for elderly Australians with communication disorders through improved quality of care, training and resources.
- Dr Yue Wang will lead research to inform antibiotic-free therapeutic strategies to reduce severity of bacterial infections.
- Dr Alain Wuethrich will lead the development of digital nanotechnology to detect weakened immune system regulation caused by long COVID.
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UQ Communications
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