30 Aug 2019
Doherty Institute researchers awarded $13.5 million
Researchers from the Doherty Institute have received more than $13.5 million in the latest National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant round, including a $2.5 million Centre of Research Excellence to tackle transmissible diseases, seven investigator grants and an NHMRC development grant.
The Centre, Supporting Participatory Evidence generation to Control Transmissible diseases in our Region Using Modelling (SPECTRUM), will be led by University of Melbourne Professor Jodie McVernon who is head of Epidemiology at the Doherty Institute, and will enhance national and regional decision-making to improve the control of infectious disease, strengthen health systems and reduce these risks.
Professor McVernon said that the SPECTRUM CRE will enhance national and regional decision making to improve the control of infectious diseases, strengthen health systems and reduce the risks of emerging and drug resistant infections.
“The team combines expertise in infectious diseases modelling with health economics, markets, policy and systems to ensure evidence-informed actionable outcomes,” Professor McVernon said.
This will be the fifth Centre of Research Excellence to be housed at the Doherty Institute.
Doherty Institute Director, Professor Sharon Lewin, congratulated grant recipients on their success in what has become an increasingly competitive funding environment.
“To have nine successful projects is an incredible achievement, and indicative of the Doherty Institute’s position as a leader in infectious disease and immunology,” Professor Lewin said.
“The fact that the projects span a range of topics, from advancing influenza vaccines for broad and durable protection, to applying pathogen genomics to the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance, only highlights the breadth of knowledge and experience we have at the Doherty Institute.”
Centre for Research Excellence
Professor Jodie McVernon - $2,499,914
Supporting Participatory Evidence generation to Control Transmissible diseases in our Region Using Modelling (SPECTRUM)
Investigator Grants
Professor Katherine Kedzierska - $2,482,424
Harnessing universal immunity to influenza
Dr Sarah Dunstan - $2,196,882
Genomics to inform new tools for Tuberculosis
Professor Kanta Subbarao - $1,800,000
Translating virus biology and host immunity for influenza control
Associate Professor Deborah Williamson - $1,393,588
Applying pathogen genomics to the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance
Associate Professor Laura Mackay - $1,200,000
Enhancing immunity by tissue-resident memory T-cells
Dr Simone Park - $639,750
Tissue-resident memory T cells in solid cancer immunotherapy
Dr Adam Wheatley - $602,250
Advancing influenza vaccines for broad and durable protection
Development Grant
Professor Fabienne Mackay - $729,770
Preclinical development of lupidumab, a transforming new therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia