When Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research hosts its second annual awards dinner at Liverpool Catholic Club on Thursday, November 20 it will place some of Australia’s best talent in health and medical research in the spotlight for work that is improving the health of the nation.
Following the highly successful inaugural event in 2013, the night will celebrate and acknowledge the significant efforts of Ingham Institute researchers who have made their mark in the world of medical research.
Ingham Institute researchers have had a prosperous year in the awards circuit in 2014, receiving a variety of major national and international awards.
Leading the top of the Institute’s list of impressive awards is Pancreatic Research Group Director Professor Minoti Apte who achieved an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in June for her internationally acclaimed work in pancreatic cancer, which is primed to suggest new treatments for the disease.
Professor Guy Marks, leader of the Institute’s Department of Respiratory Medicine, was awarded the NHMRC Research Fellowship. The award represents one of the most prestigious fellowships available in Australia and cements Professor Marks as one of the driving forces of leading Australian and international research across asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis and sleep disorders.
“We have an immense range of some of Australia’s best talent working at the Ingham Institute on critical disease areas affecting Australians including cancer, cardiovascular disease, early childhood disease and mental health,” said Ingham Institute Research Director Professor Barton.
“The awards night will put their name in lights and give them the recognition they deserve for helping to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.”
Three major Ingham Institute awards will be presented at the event including the Lady Mary Fairfax Distinguished Researcher Award, the Excellence in Teaching Award (sponsored by the South Western Sydney Local Health District – SWSLHD) and the Early Career Researcher (sponsored by Liverpool City Council), all of whom will receive $5,000, to be spent towards their research.
To enable more researchers to receive the recognition they deserve, the Institute has expanded the program to include more awards including the Ingham Institute Best Community Paper and the Ingham Institute Research Directors Scholarship.
Other awards include the SWSLHD Early Career Program (comprising five awards) and the SWSLD Mid Career Program (comprising one award).
In addition, the formal proceedings will see the winners of three prestigious grants announced for breast cancer and diabetes research. The grants are funded by generous donations that were announced at the 2014 Narellan Rotary Club’s Charity Ball which saw Dartwest Developments and Douglas Partners each award a $10,000 philanthropic research grant towards breast cancer; whilst the Perich Group generously committed $20,000 for a diabetes research grant.
Aside from the formalities of the event, the evening will also include entertainment acts and a three course meal, with the highly esteemed CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council Professor Warwick Anderson the main speaker of the evening.
Mr Terry Goldacre, chairman of the Ingham Institute, invited the community and public at large to get behind the event and support the Institute’s researchers who work tirelessly to improve their health and wellbeing.
“2014 has been a stellar year for Ingham Institute researchers, with more and more of our top talent being recognised and applauded on the national and international stages for their immense achievements,” Mr Goldacre said.
“The awards dinner will enable the Australian public to recognise and celebrate their incredible discoveries and medical breakthroughs that will create hope for a range of critical disease areas affecting our nation.”
To purchase a ticket, a table or for sponsorship enquiries please contact Tracey Roberts, Community Relationship Manager on 02 8738 9000 or events@inghaminstitute.org.au
