Overview from the Chair
Having witnessed the steady growth and encouraging progress across the Kolling Institute in recent years, I am immensely proud of our researchers and their steadfast commitment to community health. As the Chair of the Kolling Institute Governance Committee, it is a pleasure to reflect on another year marked by impact, dedication and outstanding research. Our investigators have gone from strength to strength, extending their national and global reach. Our researchers secured coveted national and international awards, highly competitive grants and published over 600 insightful papers. All these signs point to an unwavering commitment to research excellence. Building on the funding success, researchers expanded their network of collaborators and steadily increased the number of papers they published. These trends pave the way for measurable advancements in the delivery of clinical care. The collaboration with AGRF, the Australian Genome Research Facility, for instance, will see a specialised team and cutting-edge technology located within the institute, and we expect this will help speed the translation of genomics research into clinical care. Our research enablers continued to play a crucial role at the Kolling Institute, providing direct support and education, and helping to secure vital investment in equipment and infrastructure. These committees encompass, Clinical Trials and Translation, Data and Informatics, Research Infrastructure and Support Services, and Workforce and Culture. The year marked the start of the review of the Kolling Institute’s Research Strategy, and I am pleased to see that many researchers have been involved in the workshops, surveys and discussions which are shaping the next five-year strategy. This strategic document will help deliver targeted support and ensure researchers are well placed to expand their influence and impact. A large number of events were staged throughout the year including the popular Kolling Symposium.
It was a valuable opportunity to hear about the significant progress across the institute, including the latest achievements with research into kidney and heart disease, bone and muscle conditions, cancer, and neurological diseases and disorders. It was also an opportunity to learn about the development of a unique wellbeing index in collaboration with community partners, and to hear from many of our emerging research leaders. The Kolling continues to foster this important group, offering new opportunities and a career pathway. Special thanks to Professor James Elliott for his leadership and dedication to the Kolling’s success, and for his exciting MuscleMap collaboration, which will benefit a wide range of people from athletes and the general population to astronauts regaining muscle strength after experiencing zero gravity in space. I would like to acknowledge our joint venture partners, the University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District for their generous support. The provision of key services on top of the considerable financial backing ensure our innovative research is consistently translated into real-world outcomes. I would also like to thank the NORTH Foundation and the University of Sydney’s Advancement team for their collaborative efforts as our philanthropic partners. Your valuable support enables us to progress research that greatly improves the health and long-term wellbeing of our community. Michael Nugent Chair Kolling Institute Governance Committee
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