Stroke researchers seek the next big breakthrough
February 07, 2019
Six Australian researchers will pursue innovative projects with the potential to advance stroke treatment and care after receiving funding in the 2019 Stroke Foundation research grant round.
The early-mid career researchers will share in almost half a million dollars for pilot or feasibility studies.
Exciting new projects awarded included studies designed to understand the impact of exercise on preserving brain health after a stroke and the potential role of technology in improving stroke rehabilitation - SMS reminders and telehealth video conferencing to improve post-stroke memory.
Stroke Foundation Research Advisory Committee Chair Professor Amanda Thrift said high quality and effective research projects were vital to expanding our collective knowledge of stroke and moving the diseases prevention, treatment and care forward.
“There is still so much we don’t know about the brain,’’ Prof Thrift said.
“Too many Australians continue to die or be left with an ongoing disability as a result of stroke, when we know it can be prevented, treated and beaten.”
Prof Thrift said stroke’s impact was on the increase with a recent study revealing one in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime.
“There are more than 56,000 strokes in Australia each year and that number is rising due to a growing and ageing population and the influence of unhealthy lifestyle factors. However, stroke is largely preventable and treatable,’’ she said.
“I congratulate the 2019 Stroke Foundation grant recipients and look forward to seeing the outcomes of their studies.”
This year, Stroke Foundation for the first time awarded the Tim Glendinning Memorial Research Grant and Gavin Paul Bennier Memorial Research Grant. These grants focus on young adult stroke research and aim to improve our health system to better support early diagnosis, treatment and care for younger people with stroke.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan thanked the Glendinning and Bennier families, as well as all members of the community who generously donated to support Stroke Foundation’s Research and Innovation Program.
“The Stroke Foundation’s mission is to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery,” Ms McGowan said.
“These grants allow researchers to take their first step towards a big idea that can pave the way to benefit generation after generation.
“We know research takes time and perseverance, but the outcomes provide hope and can make a difference to the lives of stroke survivors and their families.”
Stroke Foundation has awarded almost $3.7 million to more than 200 researchers since 2008.
Grant recipients:
Early Career Seed Grants $50,000
- Doctor Matthew Pase, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health
- Doctor Wenbo Peng, University of Technology Sydney
- Doctor Dana Wong, La Trobe University
- Doctor Liam Johnson, Epworth Health Care
Gavin Paul Bennier Memorial Research Grant $240,000 (over three years)
- Professor Vincent Thijs, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Tim Glendinning Memorial Research Grant $50,000 Seed grant
- Doctor Karen Borschmann, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
More on research grant recipients and their projects here.
The early-mid career researchers will share in almost half a million dollars for pilot or feasibility studies.
Exciting new projects awarded included studies designed to understand the impact of exercise on preserving brain health after a stroke and the potential role of technology in improving stroke rehabilitation - SMS reminders and telehealth video conferencing to improve post-stroke memory.
Stroke Foundation Research Advisory Committee Chair Professor Amanda Thrift said high quality and effective research projects were vital to expanding our collective knowledge of stroke and moving the diseases prevention, treatment and care forward.
“There is still so much we don’t know about the brain,’’ Prof Thrift said.
“Too many Australians continue to die or be left with an ongoing disability as a result of stroke, when we know it can be prevented, treated and beaten.”
Prof Thrift said stroke’s impact was on the increase with a recent study revealing one in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime.
“There are more than 56,000 strokes in Australia each year and that number is rising due to a growing and ageing population and the influence of unhealthy lifestyle factors. However, stroke is largely preventable and treatable,’’ she said.
“I congratulate the 2019 Stroke Foundation grant recipients and look forward to seeing the outcomes of their studies.”
This year, Stroke Foundation for the first time awarded the Tim Glendinning Memorial Research Grant and Gavin Paul Bennier Memorial Research Grant. These grants focus on young adult stroke research and aim to improve our health system to better support early diagnosis, treatment and care for younger people with stroke.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan thanked the Glendinning and Bennier families, as well as all members of the community who generously donated to support Stroke Foundation’s Research and Innovation Program.
“The Stroke Foundation’s mission is to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery,” Ms McGowan said.
“These grants allow researchers to take their first step towards a big idea that can pave the way to benefit generation after generation.
“We know research takes time and perseverance, but the outcomes provide hope and can make a difference to the lives of stroke survivors and their families.”
Stroke Foundation has awarded almost $3.7 million to more than 200 researchers since 2008.
Grant recipients:
Early Career Seed Grants $50,000
- Doctor Matthew Pase, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health
- Doctor Wenbo Peng, University of Technology Sydney
- Doctor Dana Wong, La Trobe University
- Doctor Liam Johnson, Epworth Health Care
Gavin Paul Bennier Memorial Research Grant $240,000 (over three years)
- Professor Vincent Thijs, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Tim Glendinning Memorial Research Grant $50,000 Seed grant
- Doctor Karen Borschmann, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
More on research grant recipients and their projects here.