Parkville Precinct staff receive $6m in NHMRC funding

The NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence Grants, announced on Friday, are for studies focusing on infection management and antimicrobial stewardship.

Both Professor Slavin and Professor Thursky will receive $3m over a five-year period for their respective research projects.

Professor Slavin’s project “Transforming infection management in the era of emerging cancer therapies” will aim to improve infection management for patients undergoing new cancer therapies.

With innovative cancer therapies emerging, there comes a heightened risk of infections, which remain a leading cause of sickness and death for cancer patients.

Professor Slavin and her team will look at real-world date to understand risk factors and outcomes in patients after they have been treated. Professor Slavin will endeavour to enhance infection prevention measures using new technologies such as electronic medical records.

Professor Thursky and her team are looking at the “Redesign of antimicrobial stewardship programs in the digital era across One Health”.

The study, RADAR - 1H, will champion the use of responsible antimicrobial use through the use of digital technology in hospitals and the community. Unnecessary prescribing of antimicrobials such as antibiotics and antiviral medication has led to the rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. 

Professor Thursky has been seen as a pioneer in the area of antimicrobial stewardship. She is currently the Director of the National National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS), where they aim to develop, implement and evaluate practical strategies to improve the way that antimicrobial drugs are used within Australia. Professor Thursky has a particular interest in digital health, and how tools can be utilised for better surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance.

Please join us in congratulating these two staff members for advancing health for everyone, every day.