The Victorian medical research community has come together to celebrate their achievements at the Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research, with the top prize going to Dr Emily Lelliott for her work on improving melanoma therapies.
Dr Lelliott’s research examined the effects of melanoma therapies on the immune system, analysing how they can enhance the cancer-fighting capacity of T-cells, a type of immune cell.
Her research is already influencing clinical trial design and has the potential to help make cancer treatments more effective in the future. Dr Lelliott worked with the University of Melbourne and the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre on the project, which also earned her the award for ‘Best Science Researcher’.
Research projects from across the state were celebrated throughout the night and the depth and expertise of the Victorian medical research sector was on full display.
Congratulations to winners of each category:
Overall winner and Basic Science Researcher
Dr Emily Lelliott, whose work has improved the understanding and application of melanoma therapies.
Aboriginal Researcher
Dr Shawana Andrews, for her research into the lived experience of domestic and family violence among urban Aboriginal women.
Clinical Researcher
Dr Kathryn Connelly, who is working on a new way to measure the response of potential lupus treatments in clinical trials.
Health Services Researcher
Dr Owen Bradfield, for his work investigating the relationship between the health of doctors, medical regulation, and medical negligence claims, and how they affect patient outcomes.
Public Health Researcher
Dr Jaithri Ananthapavan, who is working on ways to reduce the financial impact of the obesity epidemic by adopting a cost-benefit analysis approach to identify the most cost-effective programs.
Learn more about each of the winners at the Premier's Award for Health and Medical Research webpage.
Reviewed 26 May 2023