Florey's legacy lives on in new research Fellows

Friday, 1 March 2013

Three new medical research fellows have been appointed at the University of Adelaide named in honour of one of the University's greatest graduates, Nobel Prize winner Lord Howard Florey.

The new Florey Fellows are researchers working in significant areas of medical science, including bone cancer and arthritis.

Funding for their positions has been provided through donations to the Florey Medical Research Foundation, with Arthritis SA and the University's Faculty of Health Sciences also supporting one of the fellowships.

"Each of our Florey Fellows is an outstanding researcher who we believe will make a major contribution to medical science," says Professor Justin Beilby, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide.

"This support from the Florey Foundation and Arthritis SA provides great opportunities for early career researchers, as well as providing hope for people suffering from the conditions they're studying."

The three Florey Fellows appointed this year are:

Dr Elizabeth Hoon - Florey Medical Research Foundation Arthritis SA Research Fellowship

Dr Hoon's research will be aimed at better understanding the barriers for people with musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis and osteoporosis, to participate in community-based preventative programs. It's hoped the results of her research will help a large number of people in the community to better manage these debilitating conditions. Dr Hoon is based in the University of Adelaide's School of Population Health.

Dr Jacqueline Noll - Florey Veronika Sacco Clinical Cancer Research Fellowship

Dr Noll will investigate the role that the bone marrow microenvironment plays in the development and spread of the bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma. It's hoped her research might one day lead to targeted therapeutics to limit the spread of the disease. Dr Noll is based at SA Pathology and collaborates with the University of Adelaide's Centre for Personalised Cancer Medicine.

Kathleen Pishas - Florey Clinical Cancer Research Fellowship

Miss Pishas is focusing on personalised treatment strategies for patients diagnosed with sarcoma (bone and soft tissue cancer). Overall mortality rates remain the least favourable for any cancer type diagnosed in paediatric and young adult groups, which is why more efficient treatment options are urgently required. Miss Pishas is a PhD student based in the University of Adelaide's Centre for Personalised Cancer Medicine, School of Medicine.

These fellows join the first Florey Fellow to be appointed last year, Dr Annette Osei-Kumah. Based at the University's Robinson Institute and the Lyell McEwin Hospital, Dr Osei-Kumah's research aims to improve the health of pregnant asthmatic women.

 

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