$34 million impact on research

University of Adelaide researchers and affiliates have been awarded more than $34.6 million for new research projects that aim to make a major difference to people's lives.

The recent funding announcements from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) will support more than 80 new research projects at the University of Adelaide starting next year.

"This is an outstanding result for the University of Adelaide and its research affiliates, and for the State," said the University's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha.

He said the funding announcements - which represented 65% of the combined funding announced for the State - were further proof that the University of Adelaide was a "powerhouse of research in the State".

"The University of Adelaide continues to attract the lion's share of the State's research funding, building on our long track record of excellence in research," Professor McWha said.

"With each new grant awarded, the University is able to make an even greater impact on the community through the development of new knowledge and understanding in areas that affect our daily lives."

www.adelaide.edu.au/research

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

More than $22 million in federal funding has been awarded to the University of Adelaide for new research that aims to improve our understanding and treatment of major health problems in the community.

University of Adelaide staff and affiliates have been awarded funding for 46 new research projects starting next year. These include research into cancer, obesity, transplants, wound healing, genetic disease, reproduction, diabetes, oral health, asthma, stroke, drugs, heart disease, and early child development.

Professor McWha said the latest NHMRC funding "will launch dozens of new research projects that have the potential to make the greatest impact on our lives - by helping to save and prolong lives, and improve the quality of life".

"The funding feeds directly into key areas of science and health science for which the University of Adelaide and our research partners are world renowned. These include the impact of fetal development on child and adult health, reproductive health, cardiology, pharmacology and genetic disease, to name just a few."

The new research funding announced included:

• $1.67 million to a team led by Professor Caroline Crowther (Obstetrics & Gynaecology/Women's and Children's Hospital) to determine which type of antenatal steroid given prior to preterm birth is better for optimising child health at two years of age;
  
• $1 million to a team led by Associate Professor Robert Fitridge (Surgery/Queen Elizabeth Hospital) to evaluate a decision-making model for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR);
  
• $267,000 to a team led by Dr Peter Coyle (Molecular & Biomedical Science/IMVS) to study the impact of alcohol exposure on zinc deficiency in the fetus, which is a major cause of cognitive problems in children;
  
• $714,000 to a team led by Associate Professor Christine Feinle-Bisset (Medicine/Royal Adelaide Hospital) to investigate lauric acid, a potential nutrient-based appetite suppressant;
  
• $704,428 to a team led by Professor Konrad Jamrozik (Population Health & Clinical Practice) to study the incidence and outcome of stroke in rural South Australia.

"These and many other research projects aim to play a major role in helping the community to realise a better future, and we are pleased to be able to make such a significant contribution to society through our research," Professor McWha says.

Australian Research Council (ARC)

The University of Adelaide has been awarded almost $12 million for 37 new research projects in the latest round of funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

To begin at the University of Adelaide from next year, the projects include groundbreaking research in the areas of climate change, communications, genetics, reproduction, obesity, agriculture, history and mental illness.

In addition to the public funding announced by the Federal Government, 12 of the University's new research projects will attract almost $10 million in additional cash and in-kind support from industry, government and other research partners.

Professor McWha said the new projects announced "cover the breadth and depth of research expertise at the University - such as the impacts of climate change and how to prevent it, to improving business decision-making thanks to the use of technology".

"These projects are geared at better understanding our world and helping to provide for a better future.

"I'm especially pleased with our results in attracting funding for new research linked to industry and other partners," he said.

Among the winning research projects (Discovery Projects and Linkage Projects) announced for the University of Adelaide were:

• $810,000 to a team led by Dr Hugh Harris (Chemistry) to better understand how selenium is stored and used in the body, so that the beneficial effects of selenium can be harnessed more effectively;
  
• $641,000 to a team led by Professor Graeme Hugo (Geographical & Environmental Sciences) to study the potential impact the Baby Boomer generation's health and workforce participation will have on the nation's productivity and prosperity;
  
• $521,000 to a team led by Professor Barry Brook (Earth & Environmental Sciences) to develop an innovative new modelling system to determine the extent to which climate change will amplify other major man-made threats to biodiversity;
  
• $405,000 to a team led by Dr Bernd Fischer (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) to develop a new T-ray imaging system that will have major benefits for medical science.