The Inaugural Mater Research Showcase evening this week focused on Translational Research Excellence Through Brilliant People.
The Mater Research Showcase recognises early and mid-career researchers who make significant contributions and medical breakthroughs throughout the year. The program highlighted research outcomes and healthcare impacts from biomedical and clinical researchers across Brisbane and remote QLD.
Mater Research Executive Director Professor Maher Gandhi reflected on the modest beginnings of Mater Research.
“We celebrated 22 years at Mater Research this year and from our beginning with only eight researchers working on one project we are now a world recognised leader in clinical and medical research,” he said.
“The purpose of the Showcase is to celebrate our research and communicate our achievements across Mater Queensland and the broader community.
“We are thrilled to see so many supporters as the work we do, would not be possible without you.”
Held at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) the event was a first of its kind, blending remote and location-based presenters and guests to ensure a safe event in a COVID-19 world. Presentations were communicated in a way to be accessible for a broad spectrum of audience which included consumers and Mater Foundation donors.
Award Recipients
Mater Research Early Career Researcher (ECR) prize
Seth Cheetham – Are zombie genes important players in cancer?
ECR seeding grants - Clinical/Health Services category
Jessica Turner – Pregnancy outcomes and placental biomarkers study (PROSPER STUDY) (winner)
Katie Brooker – Implementation of health tools for people with intellectual and developmental disability in the clinical setting
Vanessa Raileanu – Family-Centred Developmental Care in the NCCU
ECR seeding grants - Biomedical category
Stacey Bartlett – Identifying novel treatments for respiratory infections (winner)
Kavita Bisht – Understanding anaemia of inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Irina Buckle – ‘Battle Against Cancer’ Performed by the Immune Orchestra
Higher Degree Research (HDR) student excellence
Dr David Serisier Student Training award
Grace Fitzallen – “I can’t do this!” (winner)
Hennes Tsang – Neoantigens Are Typically Associated with Intact HLA Class I Presentation in
Early-Stage Follicular Lymphoma
Liam O’Brien – Novel ways to reliably test new immunotherapies for cancer
Mater Research HDR-biomedical prize
Chloe Yap – Restricted diet drives autism-gut microbiome associations
Mater Research HDR-clinical Laurence Catley prize
Joshua Tobin – Follicular Lymphoma: Insights from the Tumour Microenvironment
Sister Regis Mary Dunne Medal
Awarded for outstanding Mater Research-related research contribution to a researcher who has excelled in relation to opportunity.
Cathy Franklin (Winner)
Sister Michaeleen Ahern Medal
Awarded for significant contribution to Mater Research in the area of student supervision
John Hooper (Winner)
Sister Eileen Pollard Medal
Awarded for incorporating Mater-Research related research into clinical care provision to an individual who has excelled in relation to opportunity in conducting clinical research.
Sailesh Kumar (Winner)
Sister Madonna Josey Medal
Awarded for outstanding contribution to Mater Research to an individual who has made significant contribution to the operations of the Institute.
Julie Cichero (Winner)
Please visit Mater Research Timeline for highlights from the event.