2013 Grant Recipient Researchers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.