Overview from the Chair
It’s a pleasure to reflect on a year of progress, commitment and high-quality research, in my role as chair of the Kolling Institute Governance Committee.
I am tremendously proud of our team of Kolling Institute researchers, whose skill, expertise and unwavering commitment to a healthier community is demonstrated by the many stellar achievements showcased in this review. Our teams have maintained their commitment to research excellence, securing large scale funding, receiving high-profile awards including Australia Day Honours, and publishing a significant number of impactful studies. A large number of our researchers were also recognised in the prestigious Stanford University study, recognising the top two per cent of scientists in the world. In 2023, our research outputs included more than 140 Kolling-led research projects, 106 recognition awards and 537 publications. Those figures are evidence of the encouraging progress being made across all our priority research areas, with tangible steps being taken in terms of research impact, collaborations and improvements in clinical care. We continued to make good progress implementing the Kolling Institute’s five-year Research Strategy, which is supporting our researchers to expand their impact and develop their expertise. Our research enablers, which offer targeted help, provided collaborative opportunities, operational efficiencies and increased funding for our priority research areas. They also delivered significant new funding for equipment and infrastructure. The four enablers include Clinical Trials and Translation, Data and Informatics, Research Infrastructure and Support Services and Workforce and Culture. Our research teams have forged significant new collaborations nationally and across the globe, working with researchers from countries including the USA, Denmark and Spain on projects to tackle some of the biggest health challenge of our time.
Amazingly, we are even reaching beyond Earth into space, supporting research and collaborations that will inform developments in space life sciences where human health, performance, and wellbeing are at the forefront of new discovery. It is wonderful to see the way in which the Kolling continues to foster a new generation of researchers. Some of the exciting work being done by our early and mid-career researchers was showcased at the first Kolling Symposium in November. I’d like to acknowledge the leadership and dedication of Professor James Elliott in his first full year in the role as the institute’s Academic Director. He has continued to build on the wonderful work being achieved at the Kolling and is leading the institute to an even brighter future. We are ever grateful for the ongoing support provided by our joint venture partners – the University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District. This support, which has included substantial funding for infrastructure and technical assistance, is key to our research being translated into real-world impacts. Finally, I’d like to thank the NORTH Foundation, the University of Sydney’s Advancement team and our many other philanthropic partners, whose support enables us to conduct research that greatly improves the health and wellbeing of our community.
Michael Nugent Chair Kolling Institute Governance Committee
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