28 October 2019
Media release
Heart Foundation grants to drive innovative research
Identifying markers of vascular ageing and those at risk of organ damage, new drug targets for the failing heart, and the efficacy of exercise to prevent heart dysfunction in patients receiving cardio-toxic cancer therapies are among projects funded by the Heart Foundation.
In funding announced today, Baker Institute researchers have been successful in securing several prestigious research fellowships and grants to advance important work aimed at preventing, diagnosing and managing heart disease.
Many of the projects focus on heart failure, a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to match the body’s needs. About half of people who develop heart failure die within five years of diagnosis, and in Australia heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalisation.
The Heart Foundation has allocated $14.4 million in this round to support researchers. This is part of a three-year, $50 million investment in heart-related research.
More than 4.2 million Australians have a cardiovascular condition and on average, one Australian dies every 12 minutes from cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the country’s biggest killer and is the most expensive disease in Australia.
Baker Institute Director, Professor Tom Marwick, praised the Heart Foundation, which has committed millions of dollars to supporting world-class cardiovascular research since its inception 60 years ago.
“People need to realise that although we’ve made some major advances during the past few decades, the problem of heart disease has not been solved,” Professor Marwick says.
“This vital funding from the Heart Foundation will enable us to pursue pioneering research projects that we believe will deliver cutting-edge prevention, detection and treatment options to improve the chances of living a longer, healthier and productive life. We’re very grateful for the work of the Heart Foundation in supporting cardiovascular research in Australia.”
Baker Institute recipients include:
Dr Helena Qin, 2019 Future Leader Fellowship
Discovering and Delivering Novel Drugs for Cardiovascular Disease
Dr Erin Howden, 2019 Future Leader Fellowship
Exercise to prevent heart and vascular damage from cancer treatments
Dr Kate Weeks, 2019 Future Leader Fellowship
Emerging drug targets for heart failure
Dr Helena Qin, 2019 Vanguard Grant
A Novel Anti-Inflammatory Approach to Treat Hypertension
A/Prof. Julie McMullen, 2019 Vanguard Grant
A new drug delivery platform called Nano-Ghosts loaded with a protective gene for the failing heart
Dr Quan Huynh, 2019 Vanguard Grant
Risk-guided Intervention to Reduce Heart Failure Readmission
Dr Rachel Climie, 2019 Postdoctoral Fellowship
Vascular ageing and cardiometabolic disease in high-risk populations.
Dr Jonathan Sen, 2019 Health Professional Scholarship
Identification and management of age-related myocardial phenotypes in aortic stenosis and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
For further information or to organise interviews please contact:
Tracey Ellis
T: 03 8532 1514
M: 0433 781 972
E: tracey.ellis@baker.edu.au
