University welcomes almost $10 million for Centres of Research Excellence

Transmissible disease control, improved outcomes for neurological disorders, adolescent health and chronic disease are the focus of four new Centres for Research Excellence at the University of Melbourne.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt has announced $9.9 million for the centres, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Jim McCluskey said the funding focused on research to improve health for people in Australia and around the world.

“Melbourne is home to one of the world’s leading biomedical precincts and University of Melbourne academics are at the forefront of health and medical research. This funding will enable to continue their important work and deliver practical outcomes for the community and beyond,” Professor McCluskey said.

The four centres are:

• Supporting Participatory Evidence generation to Control Transmissible diseases in our Region Using Modelling (SPECTRUM) led by Professor Jodie McVernon from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. This centre will enhance national and regional decision making to improve the control of infectious disease, strengthen health systems and reduce these risks.
• Centre for Research Excellence in Neuroimaging led by Professor Roland Bammer from the Department of Radiology. Through the development of a world-first platform for radiological data sharing and image synchronisation, the centre will improve access to advanced high-quality imaging that will improve patient outcomes, especially for those living in rural communities who are currently disadvantaged.

• Driving Global Investment in Adolescent Health led by Professor George Patton from the Department of Paediatrics. This centre will address the major technical roadblocks to investment in neglected aspects of adolescent health globally, including mental and substance use disorders, injury and violence and non-communicable diseases. It will provide a clearer understanding of health priorities for decision makers as well as identify what the most cost-efficient policy and programming investments will be.
• Centre for Research Excellence in Interactive Digital Technology to Transform Australia’s Chronic Disease Outcomes led by Professor Brian Oldenburg from the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. This centre will optimise user experience, increase integration and produce safety guidelines for interactive digital technologies – mobile apps, chatbots, and wearable devices – to increase the impact and widespread use of technology to reduce the personal, societal and economic costs associated with chronic diseases.

University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Dean and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Health) Shitij Kapur congratulated the successful collaborative teams involved in these new centres.

“These centres will allow the University to continue important medical research to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians, reduce health and economic burden and train our future medical leaders,” Professor Kapur said.

The University also received more than $60.5 million in Investigator Grants awarded to support the research programs of 42 outstanding researchers, and almost $2 million for Development Grants to support three research projects being developed commercially.