The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (WCVID) awarded three successful recipients with Catalyst research grants this week, with each researcher receiving $80,000 towards their chosen project.
Designed to kickstart promising new research, the Catalyst grants give WCVID researchers the resources to build their projects to a level capable of attracting large state, national and international funding opportunities.
Congratulations to:
- Dr August Mikucki for Development of a "Cutting Edge" culture-independent technology for Strep A epidemiology, alongside investigators Dr Janessa Pickering, Dr Mark Davies, Dr Vanessa Fear, Dr Alma Fulurija and Dr Timothy Barnett.
- Dr Ruth Thornton for Blitz-OM, developing of a slow-release anti-biofilm treatment to prevent the need for recurrent grommet surgery, alongside investigators Associate Professor Lea-Ann Kirkham, Dr Tim Hughes, Professor Peter Richmond, Dr Sharon Clark and Professor Shyan Vijayasekaran.
- Dr Wenna Lee for her project titled Exploring the Ignition for Acute Rheumatic Fever after Strep Throat, alongside investigators Dr Timothy Barnett, Dr Danika Hill, Dr Maria Duenas, Dr Jonatan Leffler, Professor Jonathan Carapetis and Associate Professor Glenn Pearson.
Professor Chris Blyth, Centre Head of the WCVID, said that over the past four years, a total of $939,273 has been awarded to Catalyst recipients.
Since 2020, our Catalyst grants have supported 11 projects and contributed to their success in growing from initial concept ideas through to major research programs that have received significant external funding.
“It was fantastic to see a number of high-quality applications submitted and three new exciting projects chosen - I look forward to watching their progress and celebrating their achievements going forward,” said Professor Blyth.
A big thank you also goes out to the Catalyst grant review members for 2024, led by panel Chair Raelene Endersby:
- Dan McAullay
- David Mackey
- Jane Pillow
- Jeff Keelan
- Kerrie Wiley