MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
professional experience. It is so important that this group of emerging leaders is supported and thrive at the Kolling. We are implementing a host of initiatives to ensure our early-mid- career colleagues are provided every opportunity to extend their experience, develop their expertise and broaden their networks. We have continued to see good engagement with our Kolling Seminar Series and it’s great to see our researchers benefit from exposure to a diverse collection of health and scientific experts. We are already co- ordinating an exciting line-up of events for 2023. As we map out our 2023 priorities in line with our Research Strategy, there will be a stronger focus on collaboration, not just within the Kolling, but with our health and university partners, and with national and international collaborators. I am convinced that this will help drive further success and deliver a wealth of new opportunities for all of us. I’m sure it will increase our impact and lead to innovations and tangible improvements in the healthcare provided, not just nationally but globally. There is a real sense of momentum at the Kolling presently, and I would like to thank everyone across our institute for their part in our progress and our continued success.
commitment to research and patient care. It is wonderful to see their terrific work and substantial impact acknowledged. Read on for more details. It is pleasing to see that world-leading research projects are consistently born at and led by Kolling researchers, including a new trial co-ordinated by Professor Ashley Craig from the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research. Ashley’s study will investigate a novel approach to support those with life-changing spinal injuries, and mitigate some of the significant health challenges experienced by those with this condition. Our infrastructure capabilities have also been strengthened with the commissioning of the Kolling’s Orthopaedic Biomechanics Robotic Arm. KOBRA, led by Associate Professor Liz Clarke and Professor Bill Walter, represents a significant step for orthopaedic and biomedical engineering research, new surgical techniques and medical technologies. We are fortunate to have such impressive technology and collaborative interdisciplinary partners to support our work. Thank you Liz and Bill. We are all very excited to see what new innovations KOBRA reveals. It has been heartening to see an increasing number of early and mid-career researchers coming to the Kolling and broadening their
This is the first newsletter since I stepped into the role of Academic Director of the Kolling Institute in August and it is tremendously encouraging to see the wealth of research progress across the organisation. While it has been a challenging few years thanks to Covid, it’s clear our research endeavours are going from strength to strength. We have a large collection of basic, clinical trial and translational projects underway, demonstrating the depth of experience and expertise at the Kolling. Encouragingly, a diverse range of new research is being launched and our team is continuing to secure significant funding. In recent weeks for example, Professors Gemma Figtree and Carol Pollock both received sizeable NHMRC Investigator Grants, which will drive research into heart and kidney disease. This funding provides dedicated research time and security, broad opportunities for many researchers, and a favourable environment for producing long-term, significant improvements to the health of our community. The Kolling has also been in the spotlight recently with prestigious national and international awards presented to some of our team. I would like to congratulate Professors Chris Little and Sarah Hilmer who have been recognised for their outstanding
2
KOLLINGNEWS | OCTOBER 2022
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online