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Kolling researcher takes out coveted award

Congratulations to Kolling researcher Dr Jillian Eyles who’s been named one of the inaugural research translation fellows by Sydney Health Partners.

Facing tremendous competition from a large group of outstanding researchers, Jillian is one of just five people to have been awarded a fellowship, which means they’ll be able to dedicate a greater amount of their time to research.

Sydney Health Partners says the fellowships are aimed at building research translation capability in the workforce by supporting researchers to improve their translational skills while remaining in their substantive position. The fellowships will also involve learning support and professional development.

Sydney Health Partners Executive Director Professor Don Nutbeam says the new fellows were successful in a highly competitive process.

“We are very pleased to be able to support such able clinicians and researchers through Sydney Health Partners. The standard of applications was very high and we are disappointed not to be in a position to support several other worthy applicants,” he said.

Dr Eyles will now be able to direct her research focus to a project evaluating strategies to enhance the adoption of the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program (OACCP) across NSW public hospitals.

Jillian has welcomed the fellowship saying it will provide an opportunity to extend this important program focusing on evidenced-based, patient centred care to improve outcomes for people living with osteoarthritis.

“While it is a great program, the clinicians who lead the OACCP have identified important aspects that could be improved to make it even more successful. I am looking forward to collaborating with clinicians from Northern Sydney, Western Sydney and Sydney local health districts to help make this happen.”

Kolling Institute Acting Executive Director has commended Jillian on her fellowship, saying it’s a testament to her talent and her impressive track record.

“This additional support from Sydney Health Partners is welcome as the Kolling steps up its focus on research translation,” he said.

“By investing in projects like this, we can speed up the implementation of best practice, and ensure our hospital-based care is informed by the very latest developments and research.”

19 November 2021
Talented, young Kolling researcher takes out prestigious national award

Despite a tremendously competitive field, the Kolling Institute’s Dylan Ashton has won the 2021 Cooperative Research Australia Early Career Research competition.

Dylan is part of the team investigating the effectiveness of kangaroo tendons to treat ACL injuries. He has worked on the project for several years and has welcomed the announcement.

“I am extremely thankful for Cooperative Research Australia’s efforts to link universities and industry to drive innovation and stimulate research and development,” he said.

“I have always been passionate about translatable research, and I think universities and industry have a lot to offer each other.

“I’m very grateful to have been able to compete in this year’s early career research competition and delighted to have won. This however, has always been a team effort and I could not have achieved anything without the ongoing support, encouragement and wisdom of my supervisors Associate Professor Elizabeth Clarke, Professor Christopher Little and Dr Carina Blaker.

As the Director of the Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Laboratory, Associate Professor Clarke said Dylan’s award represents a significant achievement.

“This prestigious award is a great opportunity to recognise the research achievements of our rising stars and to highlight the fantastic, industry-linked, translational musculoskeletal research underway at the Kolling Institute,” she said.

The award will also highlight the research assessing the suitability of kangaroo tendons to treat ACL injuries.

“As a sport loving country, Australia is seeing a consistent rise in the number of ACL injuries, particularly in children between 5 and 14 years, and a rise in surgical reconstructions,” Dylan said.

“If you were to rupture your ACL today, your surgeon would source a tendon from either your own leg or a tissue donor. However, each has inherent limitations which has driven research into alternative graft sources. Off-the-shelf synthetic grafts aim to address these issues but release synthetic particles which can lead to spontaneous failure.

“Our team is working with orthopaedic company Bone Ligament Tendon to develop a natural graft using kangaroo tendon which is superior, environmentally sustainable and uniquely Australian.

“We have welcomed the opportunity to discuss this important program of research.”

1 October 2021
Expertise at the Kolling recognised

Congratulations to Professor David Hunter who’s been announced as a finalist for Research Australia’s annual Health and Medical Research Awards.

The prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams who drive innovative health and medical research. They aim to recognise excellence across the sector, and encourage future generations of researchers.

Professor Hunter, the Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology, is a finalist in the health services award category, sponsored by the NSW Government.

The impact of Professor Hunter’s research on both clinical practice and policy is unparalleled in the field of health services for osteoarthritis. He is the leading osteoarthritis expert internationally, having published more than 500 peer-reviewed manuscripts over his career.

Kolling Acting Executive Director Jim Elliott said David’s work has improved the lives of those living with osteoarthritis by identifying the impact of care, improving patient access to evidence-based treatment, and ensuring low value, fragmented care is replaced by evidence-based, co-ordinated care.

“His research has shifted clinical practice from a model based on the use of high cost, high risk and low value treatment approaches to an evidence-based, patient-driven care model,” he said.

“David led the development of the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program, the first multidisciplinary model of care for osteoarthritis patients in Australia. It’s currently being introduced by NSW Health to all public hospitals, and has already has reached more than 20,000 people.

“David was the Chair of the Institute of Bone and Joint Research for over nine years, where he supported a team of 65 researchers to increase the impact and productivity of the group.”

The award winners will be announced at a gala event planned for December.

26 July 2021
Recognition for a remarkable career

Kolling Institute researcher and Royal North Shore Hospital clinician Professor Carol Pollock has been recognised for her extraordinary contribution to healthcare in this year’s Queen’s birthday honour roll.

Professor Pollock has been appointed an officer of the order of Australia for her distinguished service to medical research, education and science, nephrology, and clinical practice and governance.

As a renal medicine specialist and internationally respected academic, Prof Pollock has had a remarkable career as a clinician, researcher, lecturer, mentor and advocate.

She has published over 390 papers in clinical medicine and basic science, and is an inaugural Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Prof Pollock has had an extensive range of health leadership roles, and is currently the Chair of Kidney Health Australia, Chair of the NSW Bureau of Health Information and Deputy Chair of the Australian Organ, Tissue and Transplant Authority. She was chair of the NSLHD board from 2010-2016.

She is a member of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, on several industry boards, and an Ambassador of Business Events Sydney.

Her dedication to her clinical and research endeavours have been recognised with many accolades, including a ministerial award for excellence in cardiovascular research and a Vice Chancellors award for research supervision from the University of Sydney.

Prof Pollock has welcomed the Queen’s birthday award, saying it is an honour and a privilege to be recognised with an order of Australia.

“It’s important to note that I have a team who has contributed to this recognition so I am immensely grateful to all those who have supported me in my endeavours,” she said.

“A really positive aspect of receiving this award has been reconnecting with people that I haven’t seen in a very long time, including school and university friends, many colleagues who have retired from the health system and in some cases partners of colleagues who have passed away.

“I didn’t realise so many people read the honour lists. The award has rekindled friendships and collaborations for which I am grateful.”

22 June 2021
Researchers join celebrations for national award

Kolling Institute researchers have been recognised with a prestigious award for an initiative to support people to return to work after injury.

The project, named Early Matched Care at Australia Post, was named the 2021 Winner of Comcare’s national Recovery at and Return to Work Award.

The research team was led by Professor Michael Nicholas, from the Pain Management Research Centre at RNSH and the University of Sydney, and research manager Dr Manasi Mittinty.

The team partnered with Australia Post for the two-year trial, which involved early identification and intervention for injured workers at risk of delayed recovery following a work-related injury.

More than 270 workers were identified as being at high risk of delayed recovery and enrolled in the study.

Participants in the intervention arm of the study were offered up to six sessions with a psychologist or counsellor, and a workplace rehabilitation provider to assist with barriers for early return to work. This was in addition to the medical and physiotherapy care normally provided for such injured workers.

While the study is not completed, Professor Nicholas said the intervention arm has already demonstrated benefits with return to full hours at work in less than half the time of the usual care arm.

Australia Post’s injury management team has responded quickly, deciding to implement the protocol for all their injured workers across Australia.

Professor Nicholas said this is a significant development which demonstrates the potential of collaborative projects to improve outcomes for injured workers, while also producing financial savings for the employer.

“It’s a great example of researchers working closely with industry to evaluate a new approach which will deliver long-term, tangible improvements,” he said.

“The approach has not only been welcomed by Australia Post, but by injured workers and their doctors.

“Workers appreciated the connection to positive people and consistent reassurance, while general practitioners report the program allowed them to provide treatments that would otherwise be very difficult for patients to access.”

10 June 2021
Executive Director joins elite group of Australian health professionals

Congratulations to the Kolling’s Executive Director Professor Carolyn Sue, elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences for her outstanding contribution to health and medical research in Australia.

Professor Sue is part of a distinguished group recognised for their personal achievement, outstanding leadership and continuing involvement in health and medicine-related sciences in Australia.

“I am honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and join many inspirational colleagues who I have long since admired,” she said.

“I would like to acknowledge both my clinical and laboratory research teams who share this recognition with me as we work together to find better ways to improve the lives of the patients we care for.”

Professor Sue is a neurologist, internationally respected for her expertise in mitochondrial disorders and Parkinson’s disease. As a clinician scientist at the Kolling Institute and Royal North Shore Hospital, Professor Sue runs the country’s largest tertiary referral clinic for patients with complex neurogenetic conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, mitochondrial diseases and other inherited movement disorders.

Her research has led to improved diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial diseases, and identified the prevalence of mitochondrial DNA mutations in the community.

Under her leadership, research in the Department of Neurogenetics focuses on bridging the gap between clinical and molecular science. Professor Sue has a major interest in understanding the disease processes involved in neurological disorders, with an emphasis on developing new treatment options.

In 2019, Professor Sue was awarded the Order of Australia for significant services to medicine, and in recent weeks she received funding for a game-changing research project to improve our understanding of the genetic links to Parkinson’s disease.

Professor Sue recently received significant NHMRC funding for a project to improve access to diagnosis for mitochondrial disease patients. The innovative model is set to have national and global benefits.

19 October 2020
Congratulations Professor Rob Baxter

Former Kolling Institute director Professor Rob Baxter received an Order of Australia medal in the Queen’s Birthday honour roll for his significant service to medical research, endocrinology and tertiary education.

Professor Baxter has more than 20 years experience in breast cancer research, with expertise in cell biology, endocrinology and metabolic regulation.

He has been a Professor in the Sydney Medical School since 1992 and was Director of the Kolling from 1994 to 2011.

Professor Baxter said he was surprised to receive the award.

“I greatly appreciate the recognition and hope that community support for basic and pre-clinical research will be reflected in an improved funding environment,” he said.

Professor Baxter has led a long standing program of pre-clinical breast cancer research within the Kolling, and hopes this award will highlight this area of research.

“My research into cell and tissue growth led me from the endocrinology of normal childhood growth, to cancer research, studying the abnormal growth of breast cancer cells.

“I hope this award will give greater recognition to our efforts to improve treatment, and overcome chemotherapy resistance for women with triple-negative breast cancer.

“Our current pre-clinical studies are aiming to develop a targeted therapy for this type of breast cancer, which typically affects women at a younger age, and is more difficult to treat than other breast cancers.”

16 June 2020
Recognition for research excellence

Congratulations to Professor David Hunter who’s received a prestigious University of Sydney Vice Chancellor’s award for outstanding research.

The Kolling researcher and rheumatology clinician is regarded as the world’s leading expert in osteoarthritis.

Professor Hunter’s research has had a significant and lasting impact in the field of osteoarthritis, influencing clinical practice and access to evidence-based care. His work has helped to ensure low-value, fragmented care has been replaced with a co-ordinated, patient-centred system.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence celebrate exceptional performance, recognising a researcher’s impact, leadership and engagement with industry and the community.

Professor Hunter welcomed the award, and acknowledged his team.

“It takes a village to make a difference to a disease such as osteoarthritis, and I am privileged to work with an amazing team who are the real winners of this award,” he said.

5 September 2019

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