South West research community celebrates clinical trials at Busselton Open Day
The Future Health Research and Innovation Fund showcased the achievements of the Busselton Health Study and announced the substantial investment of more than $47 million to 108 recipients in 6 months at its first open day for 2025.
Regional co-host, Busselton Population Medical Research Institute (BPMRI), which manages one of the world’s longest running human biobanks, outlined several pockets of research that have evolved using the data collected from the South West community since 1966.
With more than 50 years of high-quality health data, Busselton Health Study is an example of WA-led medical research that has contributed to breakthroughs across a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illness, and sleep disorders.
MC Richard Marsh from BPMRI spoke about how research enabling platforms could reduce the time and cost needed to collect research data and samples, highlighting the work of four FHRI-supported researchers who had used the platforms to complete their research faster, and at a significantly reduced cost than having to collect samples themselves.
The conference room of the Abbey Beach Resort, Busselton was overflowing as many of participants of southwest community came to witness the impact their contribution is generating to the long-running and internationally significant Busselton Health Study.
The grants were made possible through 13 funding opportunities to support a range of initiatives and highlight the State Government’s commitment to improve health outcomes of Western Australians through medical research and innovation, including $25 million to support our thriving research network.
As part of this, the FHRI Fund secured a new partnership with the Cancer Research Trust to increase research opportunities through a $9 million WA Collaborative Cancer Research Grant program.
This allows multi-disciplinary researchers to collaborate and generate new knowledge around cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
The Consumer and Community Involvement Support program awarded more than $270,000 to projects focusing on Aboriginal health, cancer care, disability, ageing and infant health.
The Major Research Application Support (MRAS) Program provides financial support for research applications being submitted for national and international competitive grant funding rounds to boost their chance of success.
Dr Amy Page was awarded a $1million MRAS grant for translation of research findings into new knowledge and improved health by optimising medicine regimens to align with priorities and treatment goals for the elderly.
The grant has helped Amy secure a further $1.9million of national funding from the Medical Research Future Fund.
Professor David Preen also secured a $1million MRAS grant for his research that focuses on understanding health service pathways and outcomes for people seeking urgent care due to mental illness, self-harm and suicidal behaviour.
The grant has led to him winning a prestigious NHMRC 2024 Partnership Projects grant.
Since its inception in 2020, the FHRI Fund has awarded $251million to 745 grant recipients accelerating medical research and innovation in WA. Further information can be found at Future Health Research and Innovation Fund - News and Events.