Carol Hodgson (left) and Zoe McQuilten
Two research projects from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine were awarded a total of $6 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centres of Research Excellence scheme.
The prestigious Centres of Research Excellence scheme aims to support collaborative research projects that will improve health outcomes and inform health policy Australia-wide.
Professor Carol Hodgson, Head of the Division of Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Deputy Director of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, leads the first of the two projects, which focuses on improving health outcomes for patients in hospital ICUs through safety improvements and the development of research-informed policy.
"More than 180,000 people are admitted to Australian intensive care units each year, and the high staffing levels and sophisticated technology needed to save lives carries significant financial costs," said Professor Hodgson.
"This CRE will enable us to cut waste and make smarter treatment choices that lead to better outcomes for survivors and use precious health resources wisely."
The second project – led by Professor Zoe McQuilten, Deputy Director of the Transfusion Research Unit – will develop research to prevent and treat complications that arise in the treatment of blood cancers, improving patient outcomes and quality of life for those diagnosed with Australia's third most common form of cancer.
"While advances in blood cancer treatments are progressing rapidly, research into how we can best provide supportive care to reduce disease and treatment-related complications has lagged behind," said Professor McQuilten. "We need to investigate these as a priority to optimise how we deliver treatments, and to improve survival and quality of life.
"I'm proud to be leading the multidisciplinary team that will lead this important research."
"Our two new CREs will deliver the evidence needed to improve care and outcomes for patients in intensive care in our hospitals or receiving blood cancer treatments," said Professor James Whisstock, Deputy Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
"It's fantastic to see our researchers leading important collaborations that will have a lasting impact on health policy and practice in Australia."
"NHMRC Centres of Excellence are among the most prestigious and competitive health and medical awards in Australia," added Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Robyn Ward AM. "These grants are a real testament to the research excellence of these teams.
"Congratulations to Professor Carol Hodgson and Professor Zoe McQuilten, as well as the School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine which is home to both research teams."
