Hunter researchers have been awarded more than $600,000 in NHMRC funding to support three Fellowships and a Postgraduate Scholarship aimed at improving health outcomes.

Researchers from the University of Newcastle (UON) and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) have been awarded more than $600,000 in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding to support three Fellowships and a Postgraduate Scholarship aimed at improving health outcomes.

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Kevin Hall, said the funding success was great recognition of the globally-relevant work being undertaken in the Hunter.

“This funding outcome will allow our world-leading researchers to continue their valuable contributions improving health outcomes on a global scale. I congratulate all the successful recipients on their achievements,” Professor Hall said.

Successful recipients include:

• $179,118 Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship for Associate Professor Gillian Gould for interventions to promote cessation care for pregnant Indigenous smokers. The Fellowship will enable Associate Professor Gould to further an intervention developed in collaboration with Aboriginal Medical Services in three states utilising web-based technology, professional and patient resources, and nicotine replacement therapy.
• $179,118 Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship for Ms Rachel Sutherland to complete a randomised trial of an intervention to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based secondary school physical activity practices. With only 15 percent of Australian adolescents meeting nationally recommended physical activity guidelines, Ms Sutherland will implement the first randomised controlled trial to increase physical activity in NSW schools.
• $179,118 Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship for Dr Melanie Kingsland to improve the implementation of screening, advice and referral for alcohol use by pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics. The Fellowship will aim to improve interventions for antenatal care provider delivery.
• $87,956 Postgraduate Scholarship for Dr Michael Potter to explore the role of wheat proteins in dyspepsia. Functional gastrointestinal disorders are highly prevalent in the community, and contribute significantly to disease burden, with functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome affecting 10 – 20 percent of the population. However, these conditions are not well understood. The Fellowship focuses on the role of diet in health and gastrointestinal disease, and specifically the role of wheat proteins in chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.

* HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.