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The year 2004 was a special year for The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, as it is celebrating A Decade of Discovery - the tenth anniversary of the VCCRI as an independent research facility.
In recognition of our ten year anniversary, Channel Nine, under the direction of GTV 9 Melbourne's Margaret Bashfield, kindly produced a special video, narrated by Ray Martin, to celebrate the occasion. To view this video you need Windows Media Player.
Following is a snapshot of scientific and operational achievements that the Institute is celebrating, in this, the tenth year of operation.
This document is also available for download as a PDF file and a text only version of the script is also available for users with accessibility concerns.
VCCRI commenced operations with Mr Kerry Packer AC as Patron
Executive Director Professor Robert Graham established the Institute with just one research assistant together with the following St Vincent's Hospital Cardiologists acting as its foundation faculty: Terry Campbell; Michael Feneley; Peter Macdonald; Anne Keogh, and Michael O'Rourke
Appeal Committee formed
The VCCRI's first paper published:
The Institute incorporated as a public, not-for-profit company and a Board of Directors appointed with the Honorable Neville Wran AC QC as Chairman
VCCRI recognised as an independent research organisation by the National Health and Medical Research Council
Cardiovascular Mechanics, Electrophysiology and Biophysics, Transplant Biology, Vascular Ventricular Interaction Programs established in collaboration with the Cardiology Department of St Vincent's Hospital, with Michael Fenley, Terry Campbell, Anne Keogh, Peter Macdonald and Michael O'Rourke appointed as Program Heads respectively
Dr David Muller joined the Cardiovascular Mechanics Program, heading up the Coronary Vascular Research Laboratory
VCCRI relocated to level 6 of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research Building
First Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute International Symposium: Molecular Structure Function and Development of the Heart
Diana, Princess of Wales opened the VCCRI in its new premises attending a Gala Fundraising Function as Guest-of-Honour
Corporate donations and a large donation by the Finley family established the Sir Peter Finley Professor of Cardiac Research, in memory of the late Sir Peter Finley
Ahsan Husain joined as Head of the Enzyme Research Program and appointed Deputy Director of VCCRI
Professor Richard Harvey appointed as the Sir Peter Finley Professor of Cardiac Research and Head Developmental Biology Program
The Barbara Ell Seminar Series established in honour of her valued contributions to the Institute. The seminar series invites nationally acclaimed scientists to the VCCRI to present seminars on their work
The Paul Korner Seminar Series was in honour of Professor Paul Korner AO, FAA, one of Australia's pioneering cardiovascular researchers, and to recognise the work of the young scientists at the Institute
Luciano Pavarotti attended the July 4 Gala Fundraising Function as Guest-of-Honour.
Dr David Martin joined the Faculty, establishing the Molecular Genetics Program
The Institute was reviewed by the first Scientific Advisory Committee
Des Renford, an ardent supporter of the VCCRI passed away. The Des Renford Chair of Medicine, UNSW was established in his memory
The VCCRI Simply Healthy Cookbook was selected as The Best English Version Health Cookbook in the world by the International Cookbook Review Committee
Victor Chang was recognised as Australian of the Century in the Peoples Choice Awards
Graduation of the first VCCRI PhD student, Dr Chris Semsarian, who was awarded his PhD for work completed at the Institute
Dr Diane Fatkin appointed as Laboratory Head within the Molecular Cardiology Program
Dr Sally Dunwoodie appointed as Laboratory Head within Developmental Biology Program
Dr Jiri Novotny appointed to the head of the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Program
Professor Robert Graham was awarded the RT Hall Prize, Senior Scientific Award, The Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ
Dr Fang Lin awarded Ralph Reader Prize, The Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ
July 4th marked 10 years since the passing of Victor Chang; July 4th designated Victor Chang Day
Prime Minister John Howard and Mrs Jeanette Howard were the Guests-of-Honour at the July 4th function
NSW Government pledged $20 million in support for the establishment of a new building for the VCCRI, which is to include space for researchers from both St Vincent's and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Dr Peter Currie awarded an International Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust
Jamie Vandenberg appointed as Laboratory Head within the Electrophysiology and Biophysics Program
Dr Thomas Preiss appointed as Laboratory Head within the Molecular Genetics Program
Dr Peter Currie appointed as Laboratory Head within the Developmental Biology Program
Dr Peter Currie awarded the inagural NSWHealth BioFirst Award
Dr Thomas Yeoh was awarded the Ralph Reader Prize-Young Investigator Award for Basic Research, The Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ and International Young Investigator Award for Basic Research, World Congress of Cardiology
Professor Robert Graham elected to the Fellowship of Australian Science
Dr Michael O'Rourke awarded Emeritus Professor, at the University of NSW
Professor Graham awarded the Centenary Medal by the Federal Government of Australia
Dr Thomas Preiss awarded Sylvia & Charles Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship
Dr Sally Dunwoodie awarded one of two inaugural Pharmacia Foundation, Australia Senior Research Fellowships
Profesor Graham appointed as the Des Renford Chair of Medicine, UNSW
Professors Richard Harvey and Professor Terry Campbell appointed as Deputy Directors of the VCCRI
The Capital Campaign is launched to raise the extra $20 million needed to fund a new building to house the institute's researchers
Ann Chang is bestowed the honour of serving as Co-Patron of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Professor Terry Campbell appointed Associate Dean (Research) at the University of New South Wales
Dr Merridee Wouters awarded Young Tall Pappy Award from the Australian Institute of Political Science
Dr Catherine Suter awarded Young Australian Researcher of the Year Award from Cure Cancer Australia
Dr Alfred Hing awarded The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting Scholarship
Dr Alfred Hing awarded The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand: Award for the Best Laboratory Based Presentation, TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting 2004
Dr Alfred Hing received The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Novartis Young Investigator Award
Dr Alfred Hing received a St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) Certificate of Merit for services to St John Ambulance Australia
Professor Richard Harvey awarded the RT Hall Prize, Senior Scientific Award of The Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ
Dr Edwin Kirk awarded the Ralph Reader Prize (clinical), The Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ
Dr Joan Li awarded the Young Investigator Award, International Society for Heart Research
Dr Savita Kurup awarded the PP Surya Kumari prize, Indian Pharmacological Society
Dr Diane Fatkin awarded an Associate Professorship from the University of New South Wales
Professor Richard Harvey was the recipient of the Julian Wells Medal and Oration awarded by the Board of the Genome Conference
Dr Alfred Hing was qwarded The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) Travel Award to attend and present at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Meeting and Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia; he was also awarded a National Heart Foundation of Australia Travel Grant; the Elsevier Australia Prize at the 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting of The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand 2005; the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Novartis Young Investigator Award, TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting 2005; the Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons TAG Medical Young Achievers Award for 2005 at the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting in October
Dr Sally Dunwoodie appointed Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW
Milena Bastos Furtado received a merit award, of the Merck Sharp & Dohme Poster Award as part of the UNSW Faculty of Medicine Research Day
Dr Jamie Vandenberg appointed Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW
Dr Jennifer Cropley awarded PhD, University of Sydney, for work completed at the VCCRI in the Molecular Genetics Program
Dr Owen Prall awarded one of the three "best oral presentations" at the 15th St Vincents and Mater Health Sydney Research Symposium
Dr Vesna Nikolova awarded PhD, University of NSW, for work completed at the VCCRI in the Molecular Cardiology Program
Dr Rajesh Subbiah awarded PhD, University of NSW, for work completed at the VCCRI in the Electrophysiology and Biophysics Program
Mauro Costa awarded a Keystone symposia scholarship certificate
Marco Nousch awarded a Poster Prize, East Coast Protein Meeting
Dr Catherine Suter appointed Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW (St Vincent?s Clinical School)
Dr Thomas Preiss appointed Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW.
Dr Alfred Hing awarded the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand Young Investigator Award at this Annual Scientific Meeting.
Dr Mauro Costa received the Johnson & Johnson Award for Research Excellence at the 16th St Vincent's & Mater Health Research Symposium.
Kylie Lopes Floro won the student poster award at the 16th St Vincent's & Mater Health Research Symposium.
Professor Terry Campbell appointed Senior Associate Dean, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW.
Dr Daniela Stock appointed as a member of the Faculty in the Structural and Computational Biology Program and commenced October 2006.
Dr Alfred Hing and Ms Milena Furtado received a Certificate of Merit at the Merck Sharp & Dohme Poster Competition as part of the UNSW Faculty of Medicine?s Research Day.
Dr Catherine Clark won the Young Investigator Award at the Aust Biophysics Meeting
Dr Vesna Nikolova awarded PhD, University of New South Wales (Faculty of Medicine).
Bryony Mearns awarded PhD, University of NSW (Faculty of Science).
Dr Suchitra Chandar awarded PhD, University of NSW, (Faculty of Medicine).
Ms Lina Karlsdotter awarded BSc(Hons), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm Sweden. Her project was undertaken in A/Prof Diane Fatkin?s Molecular Cardiology laboratory and focused on molecular genetics of atrial fibrillation.
Mr Raajiv Prasad awarded BSc(Med Sci), Univeristy of Tasmania, for work completed in A/Prof Diane Fatkin?s Molecular Cardiology laboratory.
Dr Daniela Stock appointed Conjoint Senior Lecturer, UNSW (St Vincent's Clinical School)
Prof Robert Graham awarded the 2007 NHFA Research Medal and membership to the Council of the Australian Academy of Science and Research Committee of the NHMRC and was asked to chair the NHMRC Program Grants Review Committee that oversees the evalution of all Program Grant applications.
Dr Alfred Hing was a finalist in the Phillip K Caves Young Investigator award at The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 27th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, was selected by the Australian Academy of Science to attend the Meeting of Nobel Laureats in Germany, was an invited speaker at The Transplantation Society (TTS) New Key Opinion Leader Meeting and received The Tranplantation Society of Australian and New Zealand Young Investigator Award
Dr Pengchu Ju appointed Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW (St Vincent's Clinical School)
Prof Richard Harvey elected the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA) and his NHF Grant-in-Aid project "Identifying common alleges underlying polygenic congenital heart disease" has been recognised for the Evelyn Hall Award for excellence in research
Prof Ian Dawes elected the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
Prof Paul Korner launched his book, "Essential Hypertension and Its Causes: Neural and Non-Neural"
A/Prof Diane Fatkin's NHF Grant-in-Aid project "Molecular genetics studies of familial atrial fibrillation" was recognised for the Dorothy Caton Award for excellence in research.
Dr Jennifer Cropley received the St Vincent's & Mater Health 2007 Research Symposium Award for Excellence in Oral Presentation
Transplant Program Team research awarded the NSW RACP Trainee Best Research Prize. Dr Andrew Jabbour will represent NSW at the federal RACP Conference in 2008
Dr Jason Kovacic awarded PhD, University of NSW (Faculty of Medicine)
Dr Dilesh Jogia awarded PhD, University of NSW (Faculty of Medicine)
Dr Gabrielle Thomson awarded PhD, University of NSW (Faculty of Science)
Dr Kylie Lopes-Floro awarded a PhD, University of NSW (Faculty of Science)
Dr Melissa Reichelt awarded a PhD, Heart Foundation Research Centre, Griffith University
Magdalena Soka awarded honours for her thesis 'Mutation Analysis of KCND3 and KchIP2' in Familial Atrial Fibrillation
Shweta Natarajan passed her medical sciences program thesis entitled 'Early Disease' in Familial Dilated Cardiomyophathy; Diagnosis, Mechanisms and Treatment
Gunjan Trivedi awarded First Class honours for her thesis 'Mutation Screening of the GJA5, GJA1 and GJA7 Genes' in Familial Atrial Fibrillation
Narada Kiriella awarded honours for his thesis 'Development of methodologies for the identification of miRNA species bound to human Argonautes and analysis of miRNA localisation'
Laura Ng awarded First Class Honours, University of NSW (Faculty of Medicine)
Dr Catherine Suter's project Piwi RNAs as mediators of gene silencing in cancer, received funding from the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation as well as being selected to be named the Macquarie Group Foundation Fellowship for 2008.
Dr Merridee Wouters has been awarded International Travel Grant at the Joint 52nd Annual Meeting of Biophysical Society and 16th IUPAB International Biophysics Congress at Long Beach California, february 2-6 2008.
Prof RM Graham will commence a 2-year term as President, Australian Association of Medical Research Institutes in November 2008.
A/Prof Sally Dunwoodie has won the inaugural Australian & New Zealand Society for Cell & Developmental Biology (ANZSCDB) Young Investigator Award.
Laura Ng, Cath Suter's Lab, has received the D.I. McCloskey Prize for Physiology/Pharmacology Honours.
Dr Arie Jacoby, Developmental Biology Program, received an Network in Genes and Environment in Development (NGED) Conference Participation Award to attend the 8th International Meeting on Zebrafish Development and Genetics in the USA in June 2008 and was selected to speak in a "plenary session".
Wendy Saad, Cardiac Mechanics Program, was awarded the John Yu Scholarship by the Royal Alexandria Hospital (Children's Hospital at Westmead) to complete her Honours degree in B.Medical Science through Sydney University.
Jacque-Lynne Johnson, Developmental Biology Program, received an NGED conference participation award to attend the 2008 Santa Cruz Developmental Biology Meeting June 26-29 at UC Santa Cruz.
Monique Ohanian received the Lorna Byrne Public Speaking Trophy for Best Honours thesis presentation, School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney.
Cardiac Society Australia & New Zealand (CSANZ) Travelling Fellowship for Ms Leah Cannon to attend the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in New Orleans in November 2008.
Prof Richard Harvey has been elected as an Associate Member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).
Dr Rob Bryson-Richardson received a travel award from the NGED, which allowed him to accept the invitation to be an invited instructor at the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) practical course on 3D Developmental Imaging in Lisbon, Portugal.
Adam Hill, Winner, Traude Beilharz, Runner Up for the Paul Korner 2008 Seminar Series. The Staff Choice Award was a draw between Leah Cannon & Lawrence Lee for the Paul Korner Seminar Series.
Degrees Awarded
Marco Nousch was awarded his PhD on 18th November 2008 at the University of New South Wales, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences.
Milena Furtado was awarded PhD, University of New South Wales (Faculty of Medicine).
Edwin Kirk was awarded PhD, University of New South Wales (School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine).
Ishtiaq Ahmed was awarded his PhD at the University of Durham (Faculty of Biological and Biomedical Sciences).
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