Meet the Spinnaker Health Research Foundation 2020 Research Awards recipients

Recipients of Spinnaker Health Research Foundation 2020 Research Awards

Spinnaker Health Research Foundation has awarded more than $145,000 in its annual research grant to 10 recipients including one project which will explore how technologies used by Google, Uber and other tech giants for video analysis could inspire an improved way to diagnose and measure cancer biopsies.

The grants, which support research linked to hospitals in south metropolitan Perth including Fiona Stanley Hospital and Fremantle Hospital, were announced at the Spinnaker Health Research Foundation’s 2020 Awards Ceremony on Tuesday night at The University of Notre Dame.

Spinnaker CEO Dana Henderson said the 2020 recipients and their research are truly reflective of the organisation’s vision and purpose.

“Our intent is about inspiring and cultivating a vibrant and sustainable culture of research in WA through a focus on early career and seed grants and support for projects that seek to test an idea or challenge current thought practice,” she said.

“These grants seek to solve a problem that has been identified in the clinics and wards of the hospital and immediately translate the findings to practice for improved diagnosis, treatment and care.”

Ms Henderson said an example of the researchers who are benefiting from the grants included 2015 Australian of the year award nominee, Professor Yogesan Kanagasingam who is changing the way eye care is delivered throughout the world.

“Prof Kanagasingam will test artificial intelligence based eye screening at Fremantle Hospital to improve screening for diabetic retinopathy, an increasing burden of vision impairment in Australia that is estimated to cost $9.85 billion annually,” Ms Henderson said.

“Other 2020 recipients include projects that seek to improve the success of lung transplants, develop new drug treatment for chronic pain and test novel treatments for cancer.”

While the awards evening was an opportunity to honour the exceptional research community, it was also an occasion to celebrate the donors who make the grants possible.