2005 Annual Report

Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute 2 Introduction Timeline 6 Governance and Directorship Chairman’s Message The Board of Directors Executive Director’s Report 14 Our Science Scientific Reports 27 Our Profile Prizes and Awards Publications Service to the Scientific Community 36 Research Funding Grants Awarded for Research Funding 38 Fundraising Acknowledgements Our Supporters The Phyllis Luker Society 44 Our People Institute Staff and Students 46 Finance Financial Summary 1 Years x Success 2000 2001 2002 2003 The Institute expanded to Continuing to expand at The first purpose-built medical The Mayne Clinical double its size. A link was a rapid rate, three new research crash laboratory Research Imaging Centre created between the original laboratories were facility in Australia – the officially opened. The premises and the new established specialising Impact Injuries Research Centre houses a 3 Tesla extension to form a large, in cerebrovascular Laboratory – was officially MRI machine and modern research complex. disease, brain mapping, opened. Its purpose was to provides a valuable The new facility housed a Gait and risk factors and study the impact of car resource for scientists laboratory and the Spinal Injury clinical symptoms injuries on small children and and clinicians to Research Centre. For the associated with devise ways to protect them. investigate diseases Official Opening on 15 neurological diseases in This initiative further expanded whilst providing November, His Royal Highness, the elderly. Arvind Singh the Institute’s research enhanced diagnosis for the Prince of Wales sent a Mewar, the Maharana of capabilities and future patients. The celebrated congratulatory message which Udairpur, toured the objectives. President Bill actor and advocate for read in part, “With opening of Institute and lent his Clinton was guest of honour spinal cord injury this new building today, the royal support to a Gala at a fundraising dinner. research, Christopher Institute is magnificently placed fundraising dinner. Reeve, visited the to meet the challenges and Institute and was guest responsibilities of a rapidly speaker at a fundraising growing, exciting and important dinner. The Institute area of medical research.” celebrated its 10 year anniversary. 2 2004 2005 2006 2016 Professor Peter Schofield Professor Simon First steps taken in the The Medical Research appointed Executive Director Gandevia, the Institute’s creation of a multidisciplinary Precinct expands under and CEO. The appointment Deputy Director, named medical research precinct on increased funding from was welcomed by all as Eminent Scientist of the the Randwick Hospitals government bodies and heralding a new era which Year by the International Campus. This will bring the wider community. would give further impetus to Research Promotion together the collective A strong collaboration the exceptional research Council. In partnership knowledge of scientists is formed between the already underway at the with the UNSW, the across many disciplines and research centres within Institute. Her Excellency, Institute further fields of study and share the Precinct, each with its Professor Marie Bashir, developed its capacity in resources and sophisticated own focus and research Governor of NSW, launched neuroscience research research equipment. goals, but sharing two books by senior scientists through the appointment expertise and equipment, which covered the diverse of Professor Lindy Rae to central services, and a field of neuroscience. the NewSouth Global common vision. This plan Chair of Magnetic enables the Medical Resonance. The NISAD Research Precinct to Chair of Schizophrenia further develop into a Research was awarded to world-class centre for POWMRI and UNSW with biomedical science and the new Professor to be translational research based at POWMRI. The developing its findings Phyllis Luker Bequest into diagnostic and Society established. therapeutic interventions in human health. 3 The outlook for 2006 and beyond is truly remarkable. The opportunities to translate our work into clinical therapies, creating a natural synergy amongst our researchers, are impressive. Th rough scientific tenacity we will continue to conduct world-class, collaborative medical research to cure human disease, improve quality of life, and thus create a lega cy for the future. Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Professor Peter R Schofield 42 35 Chairman’s Report Paul Brassil, Chairman One of the most impressive things about the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute is its steadfast commitment to excellence. Since I joined the Board in 1997, the Institute’s investigators have gone on to establish a significant scientific record, illuminate the fundamental processes of brain and nervous system and announce important discoveries in both basic science and in understanding the causes and potential treatments of diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous system. Through its research programs, the Institute has helped train many young scientists who will make great discoveries throughout this century. In turn, these young researchers are charged with the responsibility of helping the wider community gain a better understanding of how advances in molecular biology are changing their world. And under the visionary leadership of Professor Peter Schofield, this world-class organisation and its researchers are being guided to a new level of achievement in which they will use the techniques of molecular, cellular and genetic neuroscience to address psychiatric, psychological and neurological disorders. As Chairman, I consider it an honour to be associated with them, and to play some small part in furthering their many accomplishments. 6 Board matters She continues to support POWMRI by key players – one being our Institute – in Three new Directors were appointed to donating a proportion of royalty this initiative. But such a development is the Board bringing extensive skills and earnings. As a neuroscientist, Colleen dependent on major capital funding from experience in the political, financial and has always emphasised that solutions to sources including the State Government. health sectors. We appreciate their the emotional and financial burdens of commitment to furthering the Institute’s disease and disability will only be found Therefore we need to provide for major mission and success. through medical research. She remains investment in this ambitious plan. To proud of the Institute’s achievements to this end, the Institute has embarked on Dr Andrew Refshauge was nominated date and assures us that POWMRI’s best developing both a Capital Appeal and to the Board by the NSW Minister for interests will always be close to her heart. a Bequest Program. By intensifying our Health in October. Andrew, a medical efforts to raise significant funds, we can practitioner, was former Deputy Premier A rewarding year advance the pace towards this of NSW (1995-2005), former Treasurer It would be impossible for me to thank integration. Increasing the physical size and Minister for Health. adequately all the individuals and groups of the Institute to accommodate new who have made the 2005 year so scientific teams and expanding our areas Mr Barry Shepherd, Director of enjoyable and rewarding. of research in the neurosciences is a Corporate Services at SESIAHS, was priority. The Board remains committed nominated to the Board by the Area It is given to few individuals to be to the vision, and the goal. Health Service in July. Barry served as associated with such a wonderful one of the Institute’s Founding Directors organisation at an extraordinarily Funding critical to the future (1991-1996) as the nominee of one of exciting time. I am grateful to my fellow Now, more than ever before, medical our stakeholders, University of New Directors for giving me this opportunity research is faced with critical funding South Wales. and for their wise counsel and staunch issues. An Institute Chairmen’s Group support throughout the year. has been formed and POWMRI is Professor Peter Smith was nominated to working closely with other leading the Board by the University Council in The Institute is fortunate to have a institutes to make representation to the November. Peter is Dean of the Faculty talented and dedicated staff in both the State Government regarding the need to of Medicine at the UNSW and is scientific and administrative arenas under revamp its infrastructure funding model. recognised as a leading clinician, the excellent leadership of Executive The uncertainty regarding the future researcher and educator. Director and CEO, Professor Peter levels of support for the NSW Schofield and Deputy Director, Professor Government’s infrastructure grants We were sorry to lose the services of two Simon Gandevia. They have made this program places the investment in all Directors. Professor Richard Henry complex organisation work smoothly and medical research institutes under resigned in November when he completed effectively. considerable risk. his term as Acting Dean of Medicine at UNSW. However, in his current role as In addition, Peter Schofield was The Group has presented compelling Senior Associate Dean of Medicine at appointed a member of the Federal data to the State Government showing UNSW, Richard remains closely Government Legislation Review how critical these funds are in leveraging associated with POWMRI and the future Committee for ‘The Prohibition of further Commonwealth Government of the Institute. In July, Ms Liz Broderick

Load more