Fri 26 Apr 2024
Thu 11 Apr 2024
In 2013, our Grants Program awarded more than $2.5 million in research grants and career development awards to researchers across the globe.
These grants are selected on scientific merit by reviewers from around the world.
Thanks to your support we can continue funding important research projects investigating the causes and ways to treat and prevent cerebral palsy.
Dr Graeme Polglase
Monash University
Steptember Research Grant
$200,000 over 2 years
This study will investigate the impact of early erythropoietin for neuroprotection in ventilated preterm infants. It follows Dr Polglase’s earlier research into reducing cerebral palsy by improving immediate resuscitation at preterm delivery.
Professor Roslyn Boyd
The University of QLD
Innovative Research Grant
$135,000 over 2 years
Using advanced brain imaging and an early assessment toolbox, Professor Boyd and the Prediction of Preterm Motor Outcomes team will assess the possibilities of predicting early motor and neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies born preterm.
Dr Tamara Yawno
Monash University
Innovative Research Grant
$60,000
This study will investigate the protective effects of Progesterone, a naturally occuring hormone, as a potential treatment for the growth restricted foetus.
Dr Lee Barber
The University of QLD
Avant Innovative Research Grant
$195,000 over 3 years
This grant will allow Dr Barber to conduct a randomised controlled trial of the impact of the first botulinum toxin type-A treatment on muscle structure and function in children with cerebral palsy.
Professor Caroline Crowther
The University of Adelaide
Avant Innovative Research Grant
$250,000 over 5 years
This study will look at identifying biomarkers of brain injury and inflammation in perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
Emeritus Professor Alastair MacLennan
University of Adelaide
Innovative Research Grant
$800,000
E/Professor MacLennan and his team have established the Australian Cerebral Palsy Biobank to collect and analyse the DNA and clinical data from children with cerebral palsy and their parents to research the genetic causes of cerebral palsy. To date early data has shown that genetic causes contribute to cerebral palsy more than previously realised.
Dr Glen Lichtwark
University of QLD
Career Development Grant
$25,000
Glen will use this grant to advance the development of computer simulations so that his team can potentially predict how changes to the musculoskeletal system (e.g. surgery, strength training, functional electrical stimulation) might improve muscle function during tasks like walking.
Dr Suzie Miller
University of QLD
Career Development Grant
$50,000
This Career Development Grant will assist Dr Suzie Miller with progressing and promoting her research program translating basic science discovery into clinical therapies to prevent and treat perinatal brain injury.
Dr Cally Tann
University College London
Career Development Grant
$25,000
Investigating the causes, timing, outcomes and possible strategies to prevent cerebral palsy resulting from neonatal encephalopathy.
A/Professor Eve Blair
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
Distinguished Researcher Award
$10,000
Eve Blair is an eminent scientist in the field of cerebral palsy aetiology. This award acknowledges her significant contributions to the field. It will enable her to travel and continue to collaborate with other leading researchers throughout the world.
Dr Rebecca Pelekanos
University of Queensland
Innovative Research Grant
$145,000 over 2 years
Dr Pelekanos’ study will investigate the effectiveness of stem cell therapy to repair white matter injury and prevent cerebral palsy.
Dr Clare van Eyk
The University of Adelaide
Avant Innovative Research Grant
$298,996 over 2 years
Dr van Eyk’s study aims to define the role of genetic variations as a causal pathway to cerebral palsy.
Dr Bobbi Fleiss
King’s College London
Innovative Research Grant
$61,456 over 2 years
This project will examine how genetic micro-regulators of inflammation can stimulate brain regeneration.
Dr An Massaro
Children’s National Medical Center
Innovative Research Grant
$120,000 over 2 years
This study will look at identifying biomarkers of brain injury and inflammation in perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
Dr Lachlan Thompson
University of Melbourne VIC
Avant Innovative Research Grant
$108,471
This research project explores the capacity for stem cells to provide therapeutic benefit in an animal model of neonatal brain damage. The stem cells will be used to grow neurons (‘brain’ cells) in the laboratory which are transplanted to the site of injury in a rat with neonatal brain damage. Preliminary results in adult rats suggest this approach has the capacity to both protect the brain against further damage as well as provide new brain circuitry that can restore function.
Dr Alexander Hoon
John Hopkins University School of Medicine
Steptember Research Grant
$57,200
Quantitative Mapping of the Basal Ganglia and Related Structure In Children with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy.
Professor Nigel Paneth
Michigan State University
Distinguished Researcher Award
$50,000
This award will help Nigel with his ongoing investigations of the differences in gene expression in blood shortly after birth between children later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and children without cerebral palsy.