Victoria’s most talented emerging medical researchers will be honoured at the 2016 Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research.
Premier Daniel Andrews today called for nominations for the awards, which recognise the amazing achievements of health and medical researchers in the early stages of their career.
The awards, now in their 22nd year, celebrate Victoria’s proud legacy in medical research and leading breakthroughs that make a real difference in the lives of patients. So far the awards have honoured over eighty researchers from various fields of medical science including cancer, immunology, infection and neuroscience.
The 2015 recipient, Dr Peter De Cruz, was recognised for his landmark international study of 174 patients with Crohn’s disease, trialling a more proactive approach to post-operative care. Through earlier detection, the study found patients experienced significantly fewer recurrences and fewer surgeries.
Other global breakthroughs led by Victorian researchers include a wrist device to monitor the mobility of patients with Parkinson’s disease, a prototype of the bionic eye and the world’s first vaccine for breast cancer.
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Victorian researchers at the forefront of the latest medical discoveries and innovations in patient care.
2015-16 Victorian Budget delivered $200 million to establish a Future Industries Fund to drive growth and secure jobs in key sectors including medical technology and pharmaceuticals.
The Labor Government has also committed $60 million to the new Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery at St Vincent’s Hospital, which will be Australia’s first research and education centre for biomedical engineering, bringing doctors, scientists and researchers together to test cures for chronic diseases.
The award nominations close on 10 March, with the recipient and commendees to be announced in June. To apply visit
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Ground breaking medical research has the power to change lives, and to save lives.”
“By investing in medical research we’re not only saving lives but creating thousands of jobs into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“I am extremely proud of the wonderful work being done at our world-renowned hospitals, medical research institutes and universities.”
“Through their inspiring work, we are learning more and more about diseases, making quicker diagnoses and developing better treatments and cures that improve health outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research Frank McGuire
“Victoria has a proud reputation as a world leader in medical research with our clinicians, researchers, scientists and medical engineers making remarkable medical discoveries. Our Government is supporting them to do this work.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020