Dr Lisa Te Morenga (right) is one of eight up-and-coming researchers from Otago to secure an HRC Emerging Researcher First Grant.
Up-and-coming researchers from the University of Otago have dominated the latest funding round from the Health Research Council (HRC), securing eight of the nine 'Emerging Researcher First Grants' announced today.
The grants have gone to researchers from the University's three main campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington, with projects ranging from examining the effectiveness of a monitor and feedback device for changing postural behaviour to studying how being born prematurely may affect later cardiovascular health.
HRC Chief Executive Dr Kathryn McPherson said recipients of emerging researcher grants are “outstanding in their respective research fields and with these grants they will be able to conduct research that will benefit the health of all New Zealanders”.
She says the Otago researchers received the grants after a vigorous independent peer review process.
The HRC also announced nine Feasibility Study recipients, five of whom are Otago researchers. These grants cover a range of topics including diabetes and pre-diabetes in pregnancy, and tart cherry concentrate as a potential treatment for gout flare-ups.
Otago researchers received a combined total of around $1.8M of the funding announced today by the HRC.
Otago's HRC Emerging Researcher First Grant recipients for 2015
Dr Max Berry (Paediatrics and Child Health, Wellington campus)
Premature celebration? The late effects of early birth
24 months, $149,941
Dr Shyamal Das (Pharmacy)
Formulation of anti-tuberculosis drugs for high dose pulmonary delivery
36 months, $143,767Dr Khoon Lim (Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine, Christchurch campus)
Growth factors delivery system for bone regeneration and vascularisation
36 months, $146,048
Dr Daniel Ribeiro (Physiotherapy)
The effectiveness of a monitor and feedback device for changing postural behaviour
36 months, $146,824
Dr Shakila Rizwan (Pharmacy)
The nose knows the way: An intranasal approach to treat drug-resistant epilepsy
36 months, $137,636Dr Euan Rodger (Pathology, Dunedin)
Developing a diagnostic tool for myelodysplastic syndrome
36 months, $143,998Dr Lisa Te Morenga (Human Nutrition)
Systematic review and meta-analyses on health effects of dietary carbohydrates
36 months, $149,999
Dr James Ussher (Microbiology & Immunology)
Mucosal associated invariant T cells: mechanisms of bacterial control in humans
36 months, $150,000
Otago's HRC Feasibility Study recipients 2015
Dr Rosemary Hall (Wellington campus)
Diabetes in pregnancy effects on subsequent generations
12 months, $100,000
Dr Ruth Hughes (Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Christchurch campus)
PINTO: Pre-diabetes in pregnancy – can early intervention improve outcomes?
12 months, $149,966Dr Sally Rose (Primary Health Care & General Practice, Wellington campus)
Facilitating partner notification and rescreening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in primary care
12 months, $145,326Professor Lisa Stamp (Medicine, Christchurch campus)
Effects of tart cherry concentrate on gout flares and serum urate
12 months, $144,384Professor Margreet Vissers (Pathology, Christchurch campus)
The efficacy and feasibility of modifying tumour metabolism for therapeutic gain
12 months, $100,000