Day 1: Showcase - National Health Medical Research Council Investigator Grant Winners

To kick off Alfred Research Week, we celebrated six of our researchers who received NHMRC Investigator Grants this year.

These grants, awarded through the Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council, support outstanding research programs. Investigator Grants are highly sought after as they provide recipients with certainty, security, and flexibility to pursue an ambitious research program over five years.

Receiving one of these grants recognises research that will lead to advances in knowledge about human health, improved health care outcomes for Australians, and broader economic benefit.

The event was hosted by Dr Shane Huntington from 3RRR’s Einstein A Go-Go and CEO of the Australian Society for Medical Research.

The following researchers presented their research in less than eight minutes.

Professor Jason Ong
Director of the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Professor Ong is a clinician, health economist, and epidemiologist dedicated to improving sexual health outcomes for marginalised communities.
Investigator Grant: Going the last mile to end HIV transmission in Australia – ensuring no one is left behind.

Dr Emma Foster
Dr Foster is an academic neurologist at The Alfred and Monash University, and co-head of The Alfred’s First Seizure Clinic since 2020.
Investigator Grant: Transforming epilepsy management through evidence-driven approaches.

Professor Jonathan Shaw
Deputy Director, Clinical Science at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and consultant physician in diabetes services.
Investigator Grant: Investigating the epidemiology and population burden of diabetes complications.

Associate Professor Nick Scott
Head of Modelling & Biostatistics at the Burnet Institute and NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow.
Investigator Grant: Using modelling to guide the elimination of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Associate Professor Emma Ridley
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at Monash University and leader of the Critical Care Nutrition Program at ANZIC-RC.
Investigator Grant: Improving the quality of nutrition evidence during recovery from critical illness.

Professor Anne Holland
Professor of Physiotherapy and Head of Respiratory Research at Monash University and Alfred Health.
Investigator Grant: Advancing non-drug treatments to improve lung health, particularly in COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.

Watch the full showcase event below.