Announcement: Innovation Grant Winners 2021
Bright stars of science announced for new research initiative to fight cardiovascular disease
23 February 2021
Five of the state’s high achieving scientists have been given a major boost to their careers and their research projects, after being announced as the very first recipients of the inaugural Research Innovation Grant which is a joint initiative of the NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN) and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI).
Five grants of up to $5,000 each have been awarded to early to mid-career researchers, specializing in the field of cardiovascular disease and related conditions, with a focus on knowledge gaps in these vital health areas.
The grants will greatly assist their career development, by giving them unprecedented access to world-class technologies, training and expertise in the cutting-edge Innovation Centre at the Institute.
Revolutionary tools and equipment inside the Innovation Centre include MRI scanners, Micro-CT, iPSC automated robotics and Cryo-electron microscope.
Ultimately, it will also provide valuable research insights, with tangible project outcomes, to help find cures for cardiovascular disease.
The Innovation Centre’s Manager Dr Johanna Barclay says it’s a win-win for health professionals, industry and patients alike. “These new Research Innovation Grants address a previously unmet need for those early and mid-career researchers, who have limited options to secure crucial funding needed to advance their research work,” Dr Barclay said.
“This funding gives them the much needed financial support to help them accelerate their projects, as well as access to the world-class expertise and technology the Innovation Centre has to offer, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in Australia”.
“We are always excited to work with these emerging leaders in cardiovascular health at Australia’s home of cardiovascular research, and look forward to uncovering more scientific breakthroughs in the future, through their important work”, Dr Barclay explained.
The 2020 NSW CVRN-VCCRI Research Innovation Grant’s team would like to thank the valuable support of the NSW Government, and are pleased to announce the following five successful grant recipients:
| Lead Chief Investigator | Project Title | Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Marie Besnier | Evaluation of cardiac morphology and texture in Redox Null mice in a transverse aortic constriction model of heart failure | Kolling Institute, University of Sydney |
| Dr Zoe Clayton | High-throughput electrophysiological phenotyping and pacemaker current recording of pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocyte sub-populations | Westmead Institute for Medical Research University of Sydney |
| Dr Lining Arnold Ju | High throughput mechano-phenotyping of single red blood cells in arterial thrombosis | School Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney |
| Dr Seakcheng Lim | Understanding disease mechanisms for targeted drug therapies in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) | Centenary Institute |
| Dr Chrishan Joseph Nalliah | Evaluation of the impact of epicardial adipose tissue on gap junction remodeling in the atrium: predisposition to atrial fibrillation | Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie University |
All projects are expected to be completed within 12 months.
It is anticipated the scheme will become available again at the end of 2021. The Institute welcomes all interest and applications.
-- ENDS --
For all media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Julia Timms
Head, Media & Communications
j.timms@victorchang.edu.au
0457 517 355
Acknowledgement of Country
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
