La Trobe University academics have been successful in securing more than $1.8 million worth of funding to progress research into fighting viruses, detecting cancer biomarkers in blood and reframing narratives around alcohol use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
The projects were funded through the Federal Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Investigator Grants scheme.
Investigator Grants provide the highest-performing researchers at all career stages with consolidated funding for their salary (if required) and a significant research support package.
Dr Dimitra Chatzileontiadou, from La Trobe’s School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment (SABE) secured $688,405 to unlock the protective nature of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs) in combating viruses.
HLAs are known to play an important role in determining susceptibility to infectious diseases, including COVID. However, the mechanism of immune protection linked with certain HLAs is still unclear and could provide key information to generate new drugs or therapeutics against viruses.
Dr Saimon M. Silva, also from SABE, obtained $688,405 to advance the development of next-generation cancer biomarker detection. Dr Silva is the Director of the Biomedical & Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST) Centre.
Dr Silva’s research aims to detect key blood-based biomarkers for cancer monitoring using rapid and inexpensive portable electrochemical biosensors. This work is expected to provide significant benefits for cancer patients, especially those living in remote locations, where surveillance methods can be limited and costly.
Dr Teagan Weatherall, from La Trobe’s School of Psychology and Public Health, Centre of Alcohol Policy Research, received $424,043.
Dr Weatherall, an Anaiwan and Kamilaroi Aboriginal woman, will lead a project that aims to promote understanding, respect and strengths-based research on alcohol and health. The project will work with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal-led organisations and research and policy stakeholders to better explore the worldviews of alcohol use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
La Trobe’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Industry Engagement Professor Chris Pakes said the funding outcomes were significant accomplishments.
“I congratulate Dimitra, Saimon and Teagan on their success. These projects are examples of the life-changing research being undertaken at La Trobe University,” Professor Pakes said.
“I look forward to the important research that comes from these projects that will impact Australian across our nation, from rural communities to urban centres.”
