Researcher Awards

HMRI honours the Hunter's leading health and medical researchers each year through the HMRI Research Awards.

The HMRI Award for Research Excellence is HMRI’s premier award and recognises the achievements of an outstanding senior researcher who has made a sustained contribution to research in the Hunter.

The HMRI Director’s Award for Mid-Career Research recognises and rewards the dedication and achievements of one of the Hunter’s most gifted mid-career researchers.

The HMRI Award for Early Career Research supports and raises awareness of the work of the Hunter's most talented early career researchers, at a critical time in their career.

Professor John Wiggers

This prestigious award recognises Professor Wiggers’ unwavering commitment to reducing the chronic disease risks imposed by smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol consumption and inadequate physical activity. His dedication has seen his research secure over $40 million in grant income and expand his group from a single staff member to 7 research fellows and 10 post-doctoral researchers. Additionally, Professor Wiggers' has contributedn to 200 peer-reviewed research manuscripts placing him among the highest performing academics in his field, internationally.

Past Winners of HMRI Award For Research Excellence

2016

Professor John Wiggers

2015

Professor Julie Byles

2014

Professor Brian Kelly

2013

Professor Philip Hansbro

2012

Professor John Attia

2011

Professor Amanda Baker

2010

Laureate Professor Paul Foster

2009

Professor Chris Levi

2008

Professor Rodney Scott

2007

Professor John Forbes

2006

Conjoint Professor Jim Denham

2005

Laureate Professor John Aitken

2004

Professor Dirk van Helden

2003

Professor Peter Gibson

2002

Emeritus Professor Peter Dunkley

2001

Professor Nikolai Bogduk

2000

Laureate Professor Roger Smith

1999

Laureate Professor Robert Sanson-Fisher

Professor Jodie Simpson

Professor Jodie Simpson has carved an international research niche by focusing on airway inflammation caused by neutrophils, which are white blood cells that fight infection. In some respiratory patients, neutrophils persist in the airways and cause poor lung function. Her fundamental and paradigm-shifting observations have helped change the way asthma is clinically defined and treated.

Professor Simpson is now co-leading the AMAZES study, the largest study of non-eosinophilic asthma in the world. Her research output comprises 5500 citations, 86 publications in leading journals and a research income of over $7.3 million.

Past Winners of HMRI Director's Award for Mid-Career Research

2016

Professor Jodie Simpson

2015

Professor Philip Morgan

2014

Professor Mark Parsons

Dr Andrew Bivard

Dr Andrew Bivard work in acute ischemic stroke imaging focuses on patient selection for clot-busting therapies. Together with industry partners, he developed an automated processing program for cerebral perfusion imaging.

With stroke also being a leading cause of disability, Dr Bivard is now coordinating the MIDAS Fatigue Trial at HMRI using the drug Modafinil to assist stroke survivors in overcoming persistent tiredness.