Two Hunter researchers have received recognition for their globally relevant work at the 18th Annual Health and Medical Research Awards on December 10.
Hosted by Research Australia, the awards recognise individuals and teams’ outstanding efforts and achievements in health and medical research throughout 2020 and 2021.
University of Newcastle’s School of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Brett Mitchell and Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Dr Tracy Dudding-Byth were two major award winners for the night.
Dr Dudding-Byth was awarded the Data Innovation Award for her work on developing an image recognition system to assist in the diagnosis of rare genetic conditions.
FaceMatch is a project that aims to help people with possible genetic conditions find a diagnosis by matching their facial features with people who already have a diagnosis.
HMRI funded FaceMatch through a grant made possible by a Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation donation.
Professor Mitchell received the Health Services Award for his work on reducing infections related to urinary tract catheters.
HMRI Director Professor Mike Calford said the awards were well deserved and showed the quality of researchers in the Hunter region.
“To have two major award winners and three finalists in these prestigious national research awards is an outstanding achievement,” Professor Calford said.
“The work of Professor Mitchell and Dr Dudding-Byth has clear impact. From improving outcomes of hospitalisation to better diagnosing rare conditions, these projects have a measurable effect on health outcomes.”
University of Newcastle Pro Vice-Chancellor Health Medicine and Wellbeing Professor Zee Upton said the awards were important to recognise the researchers and their globally relevant work.
“The University of Newcastle is focused on translating our research into practical benefits for the people in our regions,” Professor Upton said.
“I congratulate Dr Dudding-Byth and Professor Mitchell on this great success, and I’m excited to see further impact of their research.”
Other HMRI and University of Newcastle finalists included Associate Professor Andrew Gardner, Dr Lee Ashton, and Professor Julie Byles.
Hayley McMahon