Research Australia 2018 Health and Medical Research Awards Program

THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER THE SOFITEL, DARLING HARBOUR

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Awards Evening Program 6.30pm UNSW Sydney Welcome Champagne & Canapes 7.00pm Official Welcome

Welcome A warm welcome to the 16th Health and Medical Research Awards

7.30pm Entrée Served Award Presentations 8.30pm Main Served Keynote Speech Award Presentations 9.30pm Dessert & Coffee Served Award Presentations 10.15pm Networking and Photographs •

Dinner Menu

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Entrée Pastrami of Wagu beef with pickled beetroot in vodka and Meyer lemon puree or Wild mushroom ragout ravioli with smoked heirloom carrot puree and basil oil

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Main Seared wild farmed barramundi with cauliflower pistachio couscous, calvano nero, pine nut & sultanas or Roast rack of lamb with sweet spices, aubergine caviar, glazed asparagus and rosemary jus

1 Desert, Tea & Coffee Single origin dark chocolate & candied ginger tart with fragrant vanilla mascarpone or Granny Smith apple tart tatin with salted caramel gelato and calvados glaze

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Great research requires great minds and great efforts and this is evidenced by all the extraordinary researchers nominated for this year’s awards.

It is clear our membership shares our passion in wanting to honour and acknowledge these efforts through these awards. From curiosity driven research to applied and innovative opportunities, Australia has among the best and brightest minds and it is our great pleasure to acknowledge and showcase some of that incredible work.

Research Australia has been celebrating the health and medical research community’s remarkable achievements for the past 16 years and tonight continues this significant tradition. Talent, commitment and great effort were clearly on display in the nominations received across all the categories, be they researchers, research advocates, philanthropists or leaders in the sector. The finalists and winners emerged from a highly competitive field and we are proud to celebrate alongside them.

Please enjoy the evening with us.

Nadia Levin Chris Chapman CEO Chairman

CONTENTS Peter Wills Medal Great Australian Philanthropy Award GSK Award for Research Excellence........................ 4 Griffith University Discovery Award............................... 6 Health Services Research Award................................ 9 Data Innovation Award..................10 Research Champion Award........... 12 Leadership in Corporate Giving Award................ 14 Sponsor Acknowledgment............................18

PETER WILLS MEDAL The Peter Wills Medal was created in honour of a great leader whose work led to the inception of Research Australia The Peter Wills Medal is the flagship award and recognises someone who has made an outstanding, long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in areas of health and medical research and fostering collaboration for better health.

Mr Peter Wills AC

GSK AWARD FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE The GSK Award for Research Excellence recognises outstanding

achievements in medical research and facilitates career development with potential importance to human health and Australian research

This is one of the most prestigious awards available to the Australian medical research community. It has been awarded since 1980 to recognise outstanding achievements in medical research with potential importance to human health. This year’s award is accompanied by a grant of $80,000 to further the winner’s research. GSK has been a loyal sponsor of this award for many years and a full list of previous winners can be viewed on their website gsk.com

GREAT AUSTRALIAN PHILANTHROPY AWARD This award recognises personal philanthropy that is outstanding in its generosity, effectiveness, vision, high impact and transformative quality The award encourages personal philanthropic donations over a period of time by an individual or family to Australian health and medical research.

The Winners These three award categories do not have finalists and the winners will be featured in the official Winners Booklet which will be provided after the award announcements.

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A science-led global healthcare company GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better and live longer. Here in Australia, GSK has a proud history dating back to the early 1900s. Today we have over 1,200 employees in Australia, working to bring access to innovative pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare products.

Research is the lifeblood of our business GSK is committed to fostering scientific skills and nurturing Australian ideas in the pursuit of new and improved medicines that help improve the quality of human life. This is achieved not just through our own clinical development, but also by investing in Australian research initiatives that are aligned with our vision and values.

Sharing and supporting research We are committed to sharing our research and collaborating with others so we can advance our understanding of diseases, medicines and over-the-counter healthcare products. GSK collaborates with local researchers and doctors to discover new ways of treating and preventing disease, investing around $40 million last year in research and development.

The GSK Award for Research Excellence was inaugurated in 1980 and consistently attracts leaders in medical research, with many past recipients recognised as national and international innovators.

@GSK_AU (GSK Australia)

au.gsk.com | gsk.com

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Dr Sarah Best Dr Best completed her PhD in breast cancer research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne before undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship investigating non-melanoma skin cancer at Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard medical School in the USA. In 2016 she returned to WEHI to join its internationally renowned lung cancer research program under the mentorship of Dr Kate Sutherland.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.

Dr Best identified a novel technique to diagnose and treat an aggressive subtype of lung cancer. With no routine genetic test to identify these lung cancers and no effective treatments available, Dr Best generated a novel pre-clinical model to study the diagnosis, aetiology and treatment. She discovered that this subgroup releases factors into the bloodstream, a ‘metabolic signature’ that can be detected in a diagnostic setting. This research has enabled clinical collaborations that will further the translational impact of her finding for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer to directly impact the health and survival of lung cancer patients.

Dr Eric Chow

This award recognises an early career researcher whose paper, patent or discovery has already demonstrated its importance or impact.

Finalists in alphabetical order.

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Dr Eric Chow completed his PhD in 2014 and has a remarkable track record with more than 140 publications and is considered the 15th most active academic in his field internationally. He has proven to be an exceptional early career researcher in the field of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with a particular interest in gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea is one of the most common STIs and is increasing at an alarming rate and becoming more resistant to antibiotics, making it a global public health concern Dr Chow’s research has revealed that saliva can carry infectious gonorrhoea. This discovery has fundamentally challenged earlier research findings, that kissing, rather than sex is the strongest risk factor. He also led a pilot study showing that a single use of mouthwash could inhibit the growth of gonorrhoea in the throat. His ground-breaking work has already changed the safe sex advice given by health professionals and he has been working with government departments to provide advice on prevention and controlling STIs.

CRICOS No. 00233E J002064

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY DISCOVERY AWARD FINALISTS

Research for better health outcomes

At Griffith University our researchers from the Health Group and Menzies Health Institute Queensland are committed to improving the health outcomes of our communities through exceptional health and medical research.

We undertake research across the lifecycle to identify key factors that influence health. From this we develop and test strategies to improve health and wellbeing for individuals, families and communities.

Four overarching programs—Disability and Rehabilitation, the Economic, Policy and Innovation Centre (EPIC) Health Systems, Healthcare Practice and Survivorship, and Infectious Diseases and Immunology—encapsulate our research strengths and align with local and national health priorities. Underpinning the work of these programs is a focus on innovation, data science, research translation and meaningful clinical and community partnerships.

Find out more at griffith.edu.au/ menziesinstitute 7

Professor Sue Kildea 2018 | 010

n o i t i d e s r e i Fro n t

The initiative of this Frontiers special issue follows Research Australia’s calls for the Government to use the Medical Research Future Fund to boost research at the limits of our application of human health, science and technology.

I’m delighted they agreed and the $240 million allocation in the 2018 budget gave us just that in the form of the Frontiers Health and Medical Research Programme.

Our goal with this issue is to showcase the range of potential frontiers research already underway in our institutions, that could indeed be ground breaking, and of course we intend to use future editions of INSPIRE to highlight other frontier potential research.

To view visit researchaustralia.org

Professor Kildea RN, RM, BHthSc Hos1, PhD is an internationally renowned midwifery researcher and Founding Director of the Midwifery Research Unit, a joint appointment with Mater Health and The University of Queensland. She has published 100 peerreviewed articles and 50 books, chapters and technical reports, several for the World Health Organisation following consultancies in Indonesia, Vietnam and Mongolia. She has attracted $26 million in research funding and many of her projects lead to sustainable health services reform.

Sue’s research has directly contributed to ‘closing the gap’ in health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, particularly through culturally safe maternity care. Sue’s Birthing on Country research has been a 20-year project. Her service model is being rolled out across the Northern Territory and has already resulted in a 50% reduction in preterm birth. She is also a key influencer of Australian maternity policy.

Professor William (Bill) Runciman Bill Runciman moved from laboratory (PhD, 1983) to health services research in the 1980s. Bill specialises in anaesthesia and intensive care in a clinical career spanning 38 years including 19 as head of the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at Royal Adelaide hospital and the University of Adelaide. He has also worked extensively in patient safety research and has over 300 publications and given over 600 presentations in 40 countries.

Professor Runciman has played a fundamental role in defining national quality and safety standards as part of the national accreditation process and in developing an International Classification for Patient Safety (ICPS). His foundational work in this area has transformed the knowledge base of this field and the setting of standards for safety in anaesthesia and intensive care has changed clinical practice forever.

HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH AWARD FINALISTS

This award is for an individual, team or organisation who has provided leadership and made an outstanding contribution to health services research; driven research that has led to a significant improvement in healthcare; and/ or has championed the development of health services research.

Finalists in alphabetical order.

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DATA INNOVATION AWARD FINALISTS

Dr Craig Dalton Dr Craig Dalton is a public health physician and lecturer at the University of Newcastle. His expertise lies in influenza surveillance and environmental health impact assessment. In 2005 there was only basic, one-off online survey platforms to gather data but nothing that allowed health professionals to follow an entire cohort of people over time. As a public health physician and researcher, Dr Dalton knew there was a better way to get important information from more people, more frequently and more efficiently.

In 2006 Craig founded Flutracking which collects public health information in real time and on a scale never seen before. During winter 40,000 Australians a week complete an online survey about the flu which helps in the detection of seasonal outbreaks, pandemic influenza and other diseases, helping protect against epidemics and allowing year-to-year comparisons of timing, attack rates and seriousness. With over 1 million surveys collected yearly, it’s the largest ‘crowd sourced’ public health surveillance system in the world.

Professor Louisa Jorm

This award is presented to an individual or team that has developed the most innovative method of gathering, making available, processing or interpreting data in a way that advances health and medical research.

Finalists in alphabetical order.

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Professor Louisa Jorm is the Foundation Director of the Centre for Big Data Research in Health at UNSW Sydney, the first Australian research centre dedicated to health research using big data. She is an Australian leader in ‘big data’ health research and has made major scientific contributions to research in the areas of health system performance, Aboriginal health, and shaping national policy regarding access to publicly funded health data for research.

Louisa led the development and construction of a secure, remote-access cloud computing platform for big data health research, the first of its kind in Australia, called ERICA (E-Research institutional Cloud Architecture). It’s decentralised, highly cost-effective and scalable, enabling accessibility across sites and organisations. Central to ERICA’s success is the deep understanding of the requirements of researchers, data governance, data analytics, information and communications technology and the health sector. ERICA also allows researchers to focus their time and resources on data analysis, so their findings can be rapidly translated into policy and practice.

The Bupa Health Foundation is one of Australia’s leading charitable foundations dedicated to health.

Our mission is to have enduring partnerships with health and medical researchers to address the health needs of the Australian community and deliver on our purpose of longer, healthier, happier lives.

Since 2005 we have invested close to $32 million in over 140 partnerships across the country and remain committed to contributing to better health for all Australians.

Find out more at bupa.com.au/foundation

RESEARCH CHAMPION AWARD FINALISTS

Matthew Grounds Since 2008, Matthew Grounds has been Chief Executive Officer and Country Head of UBS Australasia, Australia’s leading Investment Bank. He is widely recognised for his commitment to health and medical research from his multiple director roles that include Chairman of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and Chairman of the NSW Government Cardiovascular Disease Research Advisory Committee.

He has been instrumental in increasing the amount of funding for cardiovascular research and has been at the helm of a consortium to advocate for a strengthening of NSW’s cardiovascular research capacity. Matthew is also co-founder of the Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Conference and helped establish Hearts & Minds Investments Limited, a new listed investment company seeking to raise $500million.

The Company provides a concentrated securities portfolio of the highest conviction ideas from leading Fund Managers, while also supporting Australian medical research.

UNSW SYDNEY

is a proud sponsor of the Research Australia Health and Medical Research Awards

From pioneering immunologists through to Australia’s largest integrated health science network, every member of the UNSW Sydney research community is committed to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of humanity.

Our researchers have improved drinking water through innovative filtration technologies, helped the vision impaired by creating the world’s first hypoxiafree contact lens, and contributed to international breakthrough treatments for HIV.

This award recognises and congratulates exceptional contributions made by advocates who help raise community awareness and understanding about the importance of health and medical research.

Finalists in alphabetical order.

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First and foremost, Barrie is a dad. His 10-year old daughter, Eloise, died from a glioblastoma brain tumour in 2011. Since then he has dedicated his life to increasing survival for people living with the disease. His fierce advocacy led him to join Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.

As head of the Foundation’s government relations initiatives and Australian and global advocacy programs he has delivered a huge impact for the brain cancer community focusing on dramatically increasing funding and awareness of the impact of the disease. Barrie was heavily involved in the development of the CBCF’s innovative strategy and bold mission to improve survival from 20% to 50% by 2023.

We are leaders in running clinical trials, including Australia’s first Molecular Screening and Trials study in rare cancers, and have played a key role in international best practice, shaping national and international guidelines developed by the World Health Organization.

These are only a few of the thousands of achievements across fields such as medicine, law, physics, computing, engineering and the social sciences. When it comes to creating impact and unlocking the knowledge of tomorrow, UNSW is uniquely placed to support today’s biggest thinkers and face some of the world’s most difficult health challenges of our time.

He led the establishment of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission – a 10 year research initiative matching $55 million in Government funding with philanthropic funding. He encourages new researchers to choose brain cancer as their preferred field.

He has spurred other missions in the UK, China and the US knowing it will take a global team to cure brain cancer!

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CRICOS Provider Code 00098G

Barrie Littlefield

LEADERSHIP IN CORPORATE GIVING AWARD FINALISTS

MACA Limited

NOMINATED BY UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (HARRY PERKINS INSTITUTE) MACA Limited specialises in mining, civil construction, infrastructure and mineral processing equipment. In 2012 it became the title sponsor for the Ride to Conquer Cancer, and the largest team in the world raising funds for the Harry Perkins Institute at the University of WA. Participating and fundraising for the event became an expectation for staff, suppliers and business partners. They expect their internal and external networks to share the same values they do - caring for people and treating them with honesty and respect.

MACA’s contribution is so significant they have directly funded ground-breaking research and researchers at the Perkins. Instilling a culture of giving in their workplace has changed the way they do business and has helped them prosper. MACA says that supporting cancer research has made them a better business and better people.

Gus Worland AWARDS MC

Gus Worland is an Australian television and radio personality best known for his series of television programs ‘An Aussie Goes’ and more recently in his role as co-host of Triple M’s breakfast show, The Grill Team since 2009. Gus describes himself as a 46 year old sporting tragic. He has been married for 24 years and has 3 teenage children.

Gus recently aired a TV series called Man Up which is an exploration of modern masculinity and men’s mental health issues – challenging masculine stereotypes, getting men better connected and breaking the silence around suicide.

After the loss of a dear friend to suicide and following the positive impact of the Man Up series, Gus started a foundation called Gotcha4life. It’s his most important work yet and has become a priority in his life. The charity’s goal is to save lives and make a significant impact in raising the mental state of boys, men and their families. Gotcha4life works across the full life spectrum from preventative school programs to supporting lifeline crisis supporters.

Visit Gotcha4life.org

Paspaley This award recognises outstanding leadership by a corporation or business in giving to and supporting health and medical research. The award acknowledges the partnership and commitment of a corporation over time, an important dimension of effective corporate giving.

Finalists in alphabetical order.

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NOMINATED BY THE GARVAN FOUNDATION In support of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Paspaley created the Kimberley Bracelet featuring Paspaley Australian South Sea pearls.

This special design represents jewellery with purpose. Paspaley proudly donate 25% from each bracelet sold to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, with the wearer selecting which cancer research area they wish to support. This is a great contribution to the Genomic Cancer Medicine Program at Garvan that leads the way in providing new therapies for cancer patients.

The Garvan’s nomination of Paspaley shines a well-deserved spotlight on a relationship that is truly a shared-value corporate partnership, enhancing both brands. It is an excellent example of innovative philanthropy demonstrating a commitment to cancer research. Paspaley has also established strong alliances and associations with many Australian charities and institutions.

Opinion polling for health and medical research The opinions of Australians continue to shape our strategies and priorities and assist us to ensure that a healthy population and healthy economy go hand in hand.

To view the full report visit our website researchaustralia.org or for a copy please email admin@researchaustralia.org

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Research Australia Board of Directors

Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE, Patron Sir Gustav Nossal is an internationally renowned scientist and is a significant figure in Australia’s medical and scientific community. He was Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (1965-1996), and is currently Professor Emeritus of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne and President of the Australian Academy of Science, a consultant for the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and a Principal of Foursight Associates Pty Ltd.

Chris Chapman Chair, Research Australia President, International Institute of Communications.

Chairman, Nihilent Australia

Peter Wills AC Deputy Chair, Research Australia Chairman, Biomedical Translation Fund Committee

Annette Schmiede Executive Leader, Bupa Health Foundation

Professor Nicholas Fisk Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), UNSW Sydney

Professor Brendan Crabb, AC Director & CEO Burnet Institute

Professor Alexandra McManus Consultant, Health & Medical Research

Associate Professor Greg Kaplan Chief Operating Officer Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research

Dr Alison Butt Director, Research Strategy Office UNSW Sydney

Professor Ian Jacobs President and Vice-Chancellor, UNSW Sydney

Professor Mary Foley, AM Managing Director, Telstra Health

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Nadia Levin Managing Director and CEO, Research Australia

Gustav Nossal was born in Bad Ischl, in Austria, on the 4th June, 1931. The Nossal family left their home town of Vienna for Australia when he was eight years old. When he attended his first Australian school, Nossal spoke no English but graduated from St Aloysius’ College in 1947 as the dux of the College. In 1948, he entered Sydney University’s Medical School, graduating later with first class honours. At the age of 26, he left his job in Sydney and moved to Melbourne to work with Macfarlane Burnet in Medical Science. Nossal gained his PhD in 1960 at the age of 29.

Gustav Nossal has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career. He was knighted in 1977 for his ground-breaking work in immunology and made a companion of the Order of Australia in 1989. He was awarded the Albert Einstein World Award of Science in 1990 and in 1996 he won the highly prized Koch Gold Medal for major advances in biomedical science. He has been identified as one of Australia’s national living treasures.

Sir Gustav Nossal is involved in a number of other organisations that allow him to reach people in many areas of the community, including the Centenary of Federation Victoria Committee, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and The Global Foundation. He has been listed in annual Australia Day Honours four times, including as Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989 “For services to medicine, to science and to the community” and a Centenary Medal Winner “For distinguished service to the study of antibody formation and immunological tolerance” in 2000, when he was also named Australian of the Year.

We are honoured to have such a prominent and inspirational figure as Research Australia’s Patron.

Jenny Morawska Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, The Morawska Group

Dr Andrew Nash Senior Vice President Research, CSL Limited

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Save the date

FOR THE 2019 AWARDS Melbourne | Thursday October 31

Research Australia extends its gratitude and appreciation to all the Award Sponsors and Partners of this year’s Health and Medical Research Awards.

Thank you!

Research Australia is the national alliance representing the entire health and medical research pipeline from the laboratory through to the patient and the marketplace.

Our strength lies in our broad representation across the sector.

We’ve been providing credible policy advice to governments for over 16 years, enabling policy makers and funders alike, to access our membership for insight and input into decision making. We invite you to align your organisation with the sector’s independent peak body to assist in driving and shaping the health needs of the nation.

As a member, you add your voice and perspective to the large-scale advocacy needed in our complex policy and political environment.

Join Us P 61 2 9295 8545

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W www.researchaustralia.org

E admin@researchaustralia.org

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