University of Newcastle researchers Professor Adam McCluskey, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Nikki Verrills were honoured at the annual Newcastle Innovation awards today.
The awards celebrate the translation of knowledge, technology and scientific endeavour into successful commercial ventures.
Professor McCluskey won an Excellence in Innovation award for his leading efforts in the scientific discipline of kinomics and work in novel drug design.
Professor Collins also won an Excellence in Innovation award for her work in the field of nutrition and dietetics, and her focus on optimising food intake by helping people make healthy food choices. She is one of only seven professionals appointed a Fellow of the Dieticians Association of Australia.
Dr Nikki Verrills gained a Rising Star award for her work at the cutting edge of blood cancer research. Dr Verrills has discovered novel protein alterations that confer chemotherapy resistance in childhood leukaemia and is contributing to new approaches to the treatment of blood cancers.
“These awards are testament to the talent and hard work of researchers at the University, and the importance of linking expertise to industry as we commercialise the innovative technology developed within the institution,” Dr Brent Jenkins, CEO of Newcastle Innovation, said.
