Improving health outcomes and creating positive change: 31 new health and medical research projects funded
Cutting-edge research will lead to new discoveries and make exceptional care possible, with the announcement of $750,000 in funding to support health and medical researchers across the Flinders Medical Precinct.
The 31 innovative projects led by researchers from Flinders University and the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) are provided with up to $25,000 each in a bid to improve health outcomes and create positive change within our community and across the globe.
Covering a variety of illnesses, diseases, and social issues, ranging from cancer, heart failure and prostate disease through to chronic pain, mental health, and alcohol dependence, this annual health seed grant round is funded by Flinders Foundation’s generous individuals, supporters and organisations.
Research projects include:
- Looking at how DNA damage might play a role in motor neuron disease (Dr Anna Konopka).
- An assessment of cycling’s physical and psychological benefits in patients with cancer (Associate Professor Ashley Hopkins).
- Exploring a potential new treatment for childhood dementia, based on previous research on rosmarinic acid, a chemical derived from rosemary, that has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and other neuroprotective effects (Professor Kim Hemsley).
Flinders Foundation Executive Director, Ross Verschoor, emphasised that these grants equip researchers with the time and resources needed to validate their concepts and generate crucial data, serving as a key stepping stone toward securing larger grants from national and international funding bodies.
"Flinders Foundation is incredibly proud of its seed grant program and the innovative ideas it has sparked, leading to groundbreaking discoveries that have made a positive impact on lives," said Ross.
"It’s been truly fulfilling to witness many of our seed grant recipients secure much larger grants, including prestigious funding through the highly competitive National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant scheme.
"We deeply appreciate the support of our donors and the South Australian community for funding the dedicated researchers at Flinders University and the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, whose tireless efforts are making a real difference in the lives of individuals and families facing a variety of illnesses, diseases, and social challenges."
Flinders University Deputy Vice–Chancellor (Research) Professor Raymond Chan said Flinders is delivering world-class health and medical advancements on treatment and prevention.
“Our researchers are making huge strides in addressing the biggest health challenges of our time through early disease detection and personalised treatments.”
"The Foundation’s support, along with the generosity of its donors, is crucial in empowering our skilled researchers to advance new technologies that not only prevent, diagnose, and treat health conditions but also enhance efficiency within our healthcare system.
"This new funding will expand our capacity and expertise in healthcare and technology, drive innovation to market, and ultimately help people lead healthier, better quality lives."
SALHN Executive Director Research Strategy Professor Andrew Bersten said looking at new ways to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients and consumers is a key priority for our clinicians and SALHN.
“We know that healthcare organisations that are research rich have better outcomes. The Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round directly supports SALHN’s Innovation and Research strategic priority, and reinforces the longstanding partnership with Flinders University. This funding is vital support for shared innovation and research programs that will directly benefit our community.”
Learn more about Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round
Flinders Foundation, in partnership with Flinders University, proudly offers seed grant funding each year through the Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round.
Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round Recipients
Dr Luke Grundy
Relaxing the bladder: A novel adjunct strategy to improve bladder cancer survivorship
Associate Professor Melanie MacGregor
Detecting micro and nanoplastics in dialysis fluids: towards evaluating patients exposure to these new toxins
Dr Anne Mette Adams
Co-Designing a tailored Complex Intervention to Implement the CALM intensive care unit guidelines
Associate Professor Sina Vatandoust
Assessing the role of plasma methylated circulating tumour DNA in predicting response to treatment and recurrence in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
Dr Andrew Hayles
Elucidating the Role of Biomaterial Surface Charge in Antibiotic Tolerance of Adhered Pathogens
Dr Lauren Newman
Evolving hepatocellular carcinoma prediction and management using extracellular vesicles-based molecular phenotyping
Professor Anand Ganesan
Real-time Acute Prediction of the Termination of Atrial fibrillation (RAPTOR-AF)
Professor Janni Petersen
Targeting AMPK to inhibit post-stress cell division: a new strategy to stop cancer in its tracks
Dr Anand Rose
Applying Novel Technology in Biomarker Development Targeting DNA Methylation in Lung Cancer.
Professor Shailesh Bihari
Preclinical assessment of mechanism of action in ameliorating lung injury using a novel expiratory flow regulation device for mechanical ventilation
Professor Richard Woodman
Developing an AI Precision-medicine clinical decision support tool for older patients
Associate Professor Jessica Paterson
Sleep disturbance in chronic pain: Developing a comprehensive patient profile and identifying treatment options within Australian tertiary pain units.
Dr Michael Roach
How do microbes interact with human host cells during the early stages of tumour formation?
Dr Joanne Eng-Frost
Shining a Light on Heart Failure Hospitalisations: Predicting In-Hospital Deterioration Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.
Dr Jean Winter
Old blood tests for new purposes: Does the pancreatic adenocarcinoma CA19-9 biomarker detect prostate disease?
Associate Professor Nicole Lovato
ZSTOPOSA: A physiology-informed proof-of-concept study to reduce OSA severity with CPAP therapy in people with a low respiratory arousal threshold.
Dr Katia Ferrar
Allostatic load: understanding stress and activity in breast cancer survivors
Dr Mia Pellizzer
The effectiveness of a consumer co-designed randomised controlled trial evaluating a psychological intervention for body image and wellbeing in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease
Associate Professor Ashley Hopkins
Riding for Wellness: Quantitative Assessment of Cycling’s Physical and Psychological Benefits in Patients with Cancer.
Dr Lauren Thurgood
Cholesterol and Lipid Raft Dynamics in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Exploring Therapeutic Vulnerabilities and Resistance Mechanisms
Dr Ali Soltani
Understanding, Identifying, and Mapping Ambulance Response Times in Regional South Australia with Big Data Analytics
Professor Murray Drummond
YBMenSport: An Adaptation of a Wellbeing Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Boys and Young Males Through Sport
Professor Simon Conn
Molecular Kill Switch targeting Circular RNAs as a Novel Strategy to Cure (currently) Incurable Childhood Brain Cancer
Dr Raj Shrestha
Selective targeting of CDK4 to treat lethal prostate cancer
Associate Professor Savio Barreto
Exploring the Effect of Perinatal and Early Life Stressors on Young-onset Cancer Incidence
Associate Professor Christine Barry
Characterisation of sphingolipid dysregulation in a murine model of vestibulodynia using spatial approaches to lipidomics
Emeritus Professor William Blessing
A new framework for exploring the neural mechanisms of bipolar disorder.
Dr Wenshao Li
Innovative Non-Thermal Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of Phloroglucinol Derivatives to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance
Professor Kim Hemsley
Rosemary for remembrance? Exploration of a potential new treatment for childhood dementia.
Dr Anna Konopka
The role of DNA damage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
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Flinders Foundation acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Flinders precinct was established. We acknowledge the Kaurna people’s deep and ongoing connection to land, waters and community, and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
