ECU researchers awarded for innovative ideas.
The WANMA program, including the Emerging Leaders program and Ideas Grants program, are part of the WA Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, targets early- and mid-career researchers whose applications to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) were highly ranked but narrowly missed out on funding. This vital investment enables recipients to strengthen and resubmit their applications, supporting career progression and bolstering WA's capacity for world-class medical research.
Leading innovation at ECU
Among ECU's outstanding awardees in the Emerging Leaders Program is Dr Marc Sim, Senior Research Fellow in the School of Medical and Health Sciences, who is developing Australia's first nutrition guidelines for falls prevention. His project combines artificial intelligence and dietary science to identify individuals most at risk of falling and shape practical, food-based prevention strategies.
"Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalisation in older adults. Our work aims to take the guesswork out of prevention by providing clear, evidence-based dietary advice for those at risk," Dr Sim said.
Also recognised was Dr Lauren Blekkenhorst, whose research focuses on identifying which specific vegetables offer the greatest heart health benefits. By linking unique vegetable components to cardiovascular outcomes, her project aims to deliver targeted dietary advice that empowers Western Australians to make informed, heart-healthy food choices.
Dr Xingang Li, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Precision Health and School of Medical and Health Sciences, is exploring how changes in antibody structure may influence treatment response in Crohn's disease, potentially paving the way for more personalised therapies.
Dr Vivian Chua, Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow in the School of Medical and Health Sciences and the Centre for Precision Health, is targeting a deadly form of eye cancer—uveal melanoma—by investigating new treatment options for patients with BAP1 gene mutations, who often respond poorly to existing therapies.
Diverse health challenges, one purpose
The ECU cohort spans a range of pressing health priorities:
- Dr Zulqarnain Gilani is developing an AI-based tool to detect early signs of advanced atherosclerosis by analysing abdominal aortic calcification, a major predictor of heart disease and stroke.
- Dr Myles Murphy is examining why muscle strength often fails to fully return following ACL injuries, which disproportionately affect women and can lead to early-onset osteoarthritis.
- Dr Mary Kennedy is working to embed exercise into routine cancer care by mapping and connecting WA's exercise oncology workforce to clinical care pathways.
Backed by a state-wide vision
The WANMA program directly supports the FHRI Fund's mission to build WA's research leadership, create jobs, and improve the health of all Western Australians.
The awards reflected both the calibre of ECU's research talent and its commitment to addressing real-world health challenges.
This recognition reinforces ECU's strength in applied, community-focused health research. It's particularly exciting to see such a diverse group of researchers contributing to the future of healthcare in Western Australia.
For more information on the FHRI Fund and WANMA, visit: Future Health Research and Innovation Fund - Health and medical research
