Uni allocates early career research funds
RESEARCH into a common childhood eye disorder is among seven University of Otago projects that have gained $1.7 million in Health Research Council funding.
Seven researchers gained $1,714,369 in Emerging Research First Grants, a fund dedicated to people in the early stages of their research career.
Together, these researchers receive about half of the national share of the emerging researcher funding, with nearly $3.7 million awarded nationally to 15 recipients, and announced yesterday.
This is up on last year, when six Otago researchers gained almost $1.5 million.
Physiotherapy lecturer Prasath Jayakaran, of Dunedin, was ‘‘really excited’’ to gain $244,828 to continue his research into strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes.
This ‘‘relatively common childhood disorder’’ affected several thousand children — about 4% of children under 6 years, Dr Jayakaran said.
It mainly affected the visual field and environmental perception, but its effects on balance control were ‘‘largely unexplored’’.
Trudy Sullivan, a lecturer in health economics at the preventive and social medicine department, has gained a $247,406 grant to explore improving a healthrelated quality of life tool to help decide which medicines and health technologies to fund.
Ayesha Verrall, of Otago’s Wellington campus, has gained $250,000 to undertake further Tbrelated research in Indonesia to help in the development of better future vaccines.
Occupational therapist Fiona Graham, of Otago’s Wellington campus, received $233,618 to trial an occupational performance coaching intervention, a familycentred approach that helps caregivers support their children with neurodevelopmental disabilities to achieve goals of participating more fully in society.
Other grants: Julie Bennett, (Wellington campus), $245,000; Gabriella Lindberg and Janice ChewHarris (both Christchurch campus), $249,759 and $243,758 respectively.