$9 million awarded to 3 UQ-affiliated research centres

Three University of Queensland researchers have secured $3 million each over 5 years from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to advance collaborative research in health.  

This funding provided by the Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) scheme will support researchers to improve understanding and treatment of lung cancer, apply evidence-based approaches to better manage cerebral palsy, and develop venom-based therapies for improved health outcomes. 

CRE 2025 recipients:  

Professor Kwun Fong – Improve lung cancer outcomes by reducing smoking rates, expanding screening access, understanding risks to non-smokers and trialling virtual care and optimising diagnostic bronchoscopy techniques. 

Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski – Diagnose cerebral palsy early to enable prevention, implement personalised medicine and translate evidence-based interventions into practice to improve motor capacity, participation, mental health, independence and reduce severity. 

Professor Irina Vetter – Combine traditional knowledge and modern science to address venom poisoning in rural and Indigenous communities and develop venom-based therapies for better health outcomes and medical innovation.