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L-R, Professor Alistair Forrest, Health Minister Roger Cook, Professor Christobel Saunders and Mr Peter Mansell

Generous funding from the Cancer Research Trust’s (CRT) Collaborative Cancer Research Grants will have a profound impact on early diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Health Minister Roger Cook presented the CRC Collaborative Cancer Research Grants on Monday 3 July, 2017 to support and raise the international profile of cancer research in Western Australia. The celebrated research projects, led by Professor Alistair Forrest and Professor Christobel Saunders aim to provide insights into how cancer develops at the most microscopic level, and ensuring cancer treatment regimes meet patients’ needs first.

The success of cancer research within Western Australia is testament to collaboration within the state, across WAHTN partner institutions.

The $18 million grant was funded collaboratively – by the Cancer Research Trust’s (CRT) ($13.5 million), the Cancer Council of WA, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Telethon Kids Institute, Edith Cowan University, The University of Western Australia, Murdoch, Curtin University, the University of Notre Dame Australia and St John of God Health Care.

It is expected that this boost for medical research will support and raise the international profile of cancer research in WA and notably translate into better outcomes, diagnosis and treatments for all cancer patients.

The WAHTN is establishing a listing of Western Australian cohorts and registries for the purpose of encouraging collaboration and sharing of know-how and resources.

These can be general community cohorts, clinical registries, or special population cohorts.

If you are in charge of a cohort/registry could you please provide a brief summary of the cohort using the following template.

This summary will be made public on the WAHTN website unless you specify otherwise.

We plan to run a symposium in 2017 to bring WA cohorts together for the first time.

Please pass this notice on to anyone you know who may be in charge of a cohort/registry.

The 2017 round of the Premier’s Science Fellowship Program will be in the medicine and health priority area related to human phenomics research.

The Premier’s Science Fellowship Program was launched this May, at the annual Science on the Swan Conference.

The fellowship will provide $1.5 million over four years to attract a leading researcher and a supporting early to mid-career researcher to Western Australia, to work in the area of human phenomics research and data analysis.

Human phenomics relates to the interactions between the genotype, environment and lifestyle at a molecular level, and metabolic phenotyping of the human population. Together with correlation of clinical data, human phenomics research will lead to improved health care outcomes.

Applications must be received by the Department at the Office of Science by 3.00 pm (AWST) on Tuesday 12 September 2017.

Applications must be submitted by the WAHTN as the Lead Applicant, in conjunction with one or more eligible host organisations based in WA.

Please contact Professor John Challis regarding any project ideas.

For more information visit the Premier’s Science Fellowship Program page here and/or read the media release here.

WAHTN board member, Professor Peter Klinken has been recognised with the nation’s highest honour, Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) in the general division of the order of Australia for his eminent service to medical research, biochemistry and to the community.

This distinguished award celebrates Professor Klinken for his seminal work in cancer, genetics and biochemistry; in addition to his dedication and longstanding advocacy of science and medical research.

Professor Klinken has been an integral part of the success of the WAHTN through his capacity as Chief Scientist of WA.

Professor Klinken was the only West Australian to receive this award on the Queen’s Birthday, 12th June, 2017. Amid the excitement, his allegiance to the WAHTN was evident; serving as the Master of Ceremonies at the WAHTN accreditation event hosted by Murdoch University.

In addition to his contributions in science, medicine and innovation, Peter continues to successfully engage the community and increase public appreciation of medical research. His attitude of, “Team WA” epitomises what is at the core of the WAHTN.

On Monday 12th June, 2017, The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP formally announced that the WAHTN has received accreditation as an Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre by the NHMRC.

This formal recognition places Western Australia amongst the world’s top centres performing translational research to directly improve patient care.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) accreditation recognises WAHTN as a world-class clinical and research facility prepared to embrace and accelerate research translation.

In his speech this morning, Minister Ken Wyatt explained that this accreditation places WAHTN as one of the world’s leading centres of collaboration with a focus on practical translation, education and training, and outstanding healthcare. WAHTN was commended for fostering research collaboration across boundaries between general and hospital practice, geographical regions, and health service disciplines.

This is the first such recognition for Western Australia and the network now joins the alliance of the other six accredited advanced centres across the country.

The WAHTN brings together WA’s major hospitals, medical research institutes, two private hospitals, the WA Department of Health and all five WA universities, to translate health research into policy, practice and innovation.

The recognition will deliver significant benefits, including improved access to national level funding and networks, supporting it to continue to build research translation capabilities in Australia.

Executive Director of WAHTN, Professor John Challis said the accreditation was a tremendous achievement that raised the status of WA’s health and medical research sector at a national and international level.

“The success of the WAHTN is testament to the strong collaboration between all partners involved who drive the research, translation, patient care and education programs,” Professor Challis said.

“This accreditation will allow us to expand our current research to continue to provide benefits to health researchers across the state and improve the health and well-being of all Western Australians”.

The recognition was awarded to the WAHTN following an extensive assessment process and external evaluation by a panel of international experts.

To be recognised as an AHRTC, the WAHTN met the following six criteria: 

1) Leadership in outstanding research and evidence based clinical care, including for the most difficult clinical conditions;
2) Excellence in innovative biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research;
3) Programs and activities to accelerate research findings into health care and ways of bringing healthcare problems to the researchers;
4) Research-infused education and training;
5) Health professional leaders who ensure that research knowledge is translated into policies and practices locally, nationally and internationally; and
6) Strong collaboration amongst the research, translation, patient care and education programs of the centre.

Professor Eeva Leinonen, Vice Chancellor at Murdoch University said “This is a proud moment for Western Australia to receive recognition that its health and medical research translation activities are being performed at an international standard of excellence, and a proud moment for Murdoch University to host this recognition event”.

Dr David Russell-Weisz, Director General, Department of Health highlighted that AHRTC accreditation raises the status of Western Australia’s health and medical research sector from a national and international perspective. “The accreditation will boost recruitment to WA of outstanding young professionals, with basic science, clinical and allied health backgrounds who want to work and practice amongst the best in the country. In turn, this will help create jobs and new wealth for the State”.

Further information on NHMRC Advanced Health Research and Translation Centres and the International Panel’s report is available on the NHMRC website.

The Spinnaker Health Research Foundation, formerly known as the Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation calls for expressions of interest (EOI) for its grants program for 2018:

• Spinnaker Health Research Grants – multiple grants of up to $15,000 ($20,000 in exceptional circumstances)
• Edith Hearn Bequest: Research Collaboration Grants – 2 grants of up to $75,000 over 2 years (*strictly for Fremantle Hospital & research into incurable diseases only)
• Barry Marshall Travel Awards – 2 grants of up to $2,500 or 1 up to $5,000

The EOI can focus on any area of medicine or community health with relevance to the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group or the South Metropolitan Health Service. A substantial portion of the research must be conducted within the South Metropolitan Region.

Expressions of interest close: noon, 30 June 2017

Researchers who are clinicians, allied health workers and scientists are encouraged to apply.

Applications are sought from both early career and experienced researchers, with projects from early career researchers, as CIA and an associate mentor, receiving extra weighting.

EOI to demonstrate:

• • Scientific merit, innovation and impact
  • Value and significance to clinical application
  • Significance and relevance to the south metropolitan community

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application by 30 August. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of October 2017.
Details and application forms on https://www.spinnakerhealth.org.au/

For more information contact Ms Fabienne Vonarburg on 0423 415 047 or fabienne.vonarburg@health.wa.gov.au