Award raises profile of early career research at the Kolling Institute

Two of the Kolling Institute’s emerging leaders are gaining attention after receiving the ATA Scientific Encouragement Award.

The award, which was launched more than a decade ago, aims to provide young scientists with financial assistance to further their education and attend scientific meetings and conferences.

Scientific officer Kevin Winardi from the Kolling’s Lab of Ageing and Pharmacology will attend two bioinformatics conferences after receiving the award.

His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind drug-related harms in older people, and whether the adverse effects of medications can be reversed once the medications are stopped.

Kevin’s goal is to expand his research into pharmacology, ageing biology and systems biology to enhance the care of older people.

Attending the conferences will provide Kevin with a valuable opportunity to explore a new bioinformatics tool and connect with leading national experts.

His colleague from the Lab of Ageing and Pharmacology PhD student Temitope Esther Afolabi has also taken out an encouragement award, which will help her attend a medications management conference in South Australia in November.

Esther will deliver a presentation at the event, detailing her work to improve the quality use of medications by older people through an online patient decision support tool.

Esther believes the tool could be a safe, evidence-based and cost-effective innovation to promote optimal health.

Kevin and Esther would like to thank ATA Scientific for the important opportunities provided through their encouragement awards.