Rewards for hearthealth researchers
PRESTIGIOUS fellowships have been awarded to two Tasmanian researchers undertaking important work into cardiovascular health.
Associate Professor Verity Cleland said she was in shock and disbelief when she found out she was the recipient of the Future Leader Fellowship.
“It’s highly competitive and you often don’t think you’ll win these kinds of things,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful feeling for a whole range of reasons — it means I can continue my research for four more years, and it’s peer recognition at a national level .”
Prof Cleland will be continuing her work looking at ways to improve heart health through transport.
It will explore how walking, cycling and using public transport contributed to cardiovascular health.
“Cardiovascular disease is still one of the biggest killers of Australians,” Prof Cleland said. “I believe prevention is better than the cure .”
She said if adults met physical activity recommendations, it would prevent at least 11 per cent of Australian and 6 percent of global heart disease.
“What we don’t want to do is blame people — we want to create environments that can support people to lead active lives, and we want it to be a habit rather than something people have to think about,” Prof Cleland said.
Dean Pico new as awarded a Heart Foundation 2020 Postdoctoral Fellowship of $150,000 over two years, alongside a $20,000 Paul Korner Innovation Award.
The fellowship will allow him to continue his work on refining the measurement of bloodpressure.
“Ultimately, we hope this will lead to better diagnosis and medical care of people with high blood pressure, to reduce global death and illness ,” Dr Pi cone said.
Menzies Institute director Distinguished Professor Alison Venn said Prof Cleland’s and Dr Picone’s fellowships were indicative of the globally significant work being undertaken at Menzies.
“If we can improve prevention, diagnosis and how we treat cardiovascular conditions, we will be making a significant impact on one of the world’s major health problems ,” she said.