AusHealth, 65 Hardys Road Underdale, Adelaide (2025)

01/12/2025

AusHealth CureCell event sees the awarding of seven $10,000 prizes – and one engagement ring!

Yesterday's AusHealth CureCell Awards ceremony was held in the Kent Town Hotel, Adelaide, where friends, family and academic powerbrokers gathered to celebrate as seven PhD students were each presented with trophies and $10,000.

The awards were created to help PhD students with living costs, and as such the cash prizes can be spent however they like.
Lachlan Staker – the winner of the SMART CRC CureCell Award – went public that he was going to spend his prize (and we think he said part of his prize!) on an engagement ring for his girlfriend, Ellen Solly. When Professor Simon Cool handed over the trophy to Lachlan, he insisted Ellen join them on stage for the presentation!

The winners:

🏆 Matt van der Burg (The University of Queensland): FLVCR2 as a novel gateway for brain therapeutics and glioblastoma treatment
🏆 Cate Cheney (SAHMRI), receiving the Pan Macedonian Federation of SA CureCell Award: Generation of a microbiome-oriented adjuvant therapy for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
🏆 Julia Leeflang (University of Adelaide): Engineering next-generation colorectal cancer treatments
🏆 Giáng Tuyết Phạm (Flinders University), receiving the Marine Bioproducts CRC CureCell Award for Marine Medical Biotech: A wound healing hydrogel based on plasma-assisted microalgae extract
🏆 Matteo Pitteri (The Florey Institute): Unlocking brain-penetrating antisense therapies for neurological diseases
🏆 Kelsy Prest (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre): The clone claw: A novel platform for precise isolation and molecular profiling of rare MRD-resistant clones driving AML relapse
🏆 Lachlan Staker (University of Adelaide) receiving the SMART CRC CureCell Award: Dual action gene editing strategy for treating dominant negative or toxic-gain of function mutations.

AusHealth is a self-funded medical research charity based in Adelaide. In 2024, it donated $4.5 million to scientists developing new disease therapies, AI-powered clinical solutions and novel healthcare technologies.
Websites: curecell.org | aushealth.com.au

24/11/2025

AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Julia Leeflang – genetically engineering bacteria to grow inside cancerous tumours and release drugs

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize...

Read the full article here:https://www.aushealth.com.au/latest-news/

18/11/2025

AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Cate Cheney – using gut health to unlock the mysteries of leukaemia

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize...

Read the full article here: https://www.aushealth.com.au/latest-news/

17/11/2025

CureCell Award winner Matteo Pitteri – developing precision genetic therapies and a ‘Trojan horse’ delivery mechanism to treat motor neuron disease

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize…

Read the full article here: https://www.aushealth.com.au/curecell-award-winner-matteo-pitteri-developing-precision-genetic-therapies-and-a-trojan-horse-delivery-mechanism-to-treat-motor-neuron-disease/

10/11/2025

AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Thi Giáng Tuyết Phạm (Snow), Flinders University (sponsored by Marine Bioproducts CRC) – finding better solutions for chronic wound care with a multifunctional hydrogel

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize...

Read the full article here: https://www.aushealth.com.au/aushealth-curecell-award-winner-thi-giang-tuyet-pham-snow-finding-better-solutions-for-chronic-wound-care-with-a-multifunctional-hydrogel/

10/11/2025

AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Matthew van der Burg – finding a new way to deliver drugs to the brain

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize...

Read the full article here: https://www.aushealth.com.au/aushealth-curecell-award-winner-matt-van-der-burg-the-university-of-queensland-finding-a-new-way-to-deliver-drugs-to-the-brain/

03/11/2025

AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Lachlan Staker – seeking a gene editing therapy for hereditary blindness

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts, we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize...

Read more: https://www.aushealth.com.au/aushealth-curecell-award-winner-lachlan-staker-seeking-a-gene-editing-therapy-for-hereditary-blindness/

03/11/2025

AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Kelsy Prest (University of Melbourne) – developing a ‘claw’ to isolate and study blood cancer cells that evade chemo and targeted drugs

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize...

Read more here: https://www.aushealth.com.au/aushealth-curecell-award-winner-kelsy-prest-developing-a-claw-to-isolate-and-study-blood-cancer-cells-that-evade-chemo-and-targeted-drugs/

20/10/2025

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2025 AUSHEALTH CURECELL AWARDS

AusHealth CEO Dr Justin Coombs is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 AusHealth CureCell Awards.

This year, seven PhD students from leading Australian universities and research institutes each receive $10,000 to support their living expenses as they pursue breakthrough research in medical science.

The 2025 winners are:

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴 (The University of Queensland): FLVCR2 as a novel gateway for brain therapeutics and glioblastoma treatment
𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘆 (SAHMRI), receiving the Pan Macedonian Federation of SA CureCell Award: Generation of a microbiome-oriented adjuvant therapy for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 (University of Adelaide): Engineering next-generation colorectal cancer treatments
𝗧𝘂𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗺 (Flinders University), receiving the Marine Bioproducts CRC CureCell Award for Marine Medical Biotech: A wound healing hydrogel based on plasma-assisted microalgae extract
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶 (The Florey Institute): Unlocking brain-penetrating antisense therapies for neurological diseases
𝗞𝗲𝗹𝘀𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre): The clone claw: A novel platform for precise isolation and molecular profiling of rare MRD-resistant clones driving AML relapse
𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 (University of Adelaide) receiving the SMART CRC CureCell Award: Dual action gene editing strategy for treating dominant negative or toxic-gain of function mutations

Entries for the 2025 Awards close to doubled from last year, with 65 PhD students applying from 13 national institutions across five states. The standard of submissions was exceptionally high, making the awards process highly competitive.

According to Justin, “The Awards are only in their second year, so we’re thrilled with the number of applications and inspired by the range and depth of submissions. And it's terrific to see so many universities and research institutions being represented.”

Justin says it's important to support Australia’s next generation of researchers: “People don’t realise how little money Australian PhD researchers get by on. These cash prizes are intended to relieve financial pressures – and I’m delighted to have fellow co-sponsors who appreciate that we need to lend this extra support.”

AusHealth will be releasing a series of interviews with the 2025 CureCell Award winners over coming weeks, highlighting their research and the impact of the Awards on their work.

Clockwise L to R: Kelsy, Lachlan, Tuyet Thi Giang, Cate, Matteo, Matthew, Julia with Tina and Belinda (AusHealth).

For more information, please contact curecell@aushealth.com.au
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AusHealth is Australia’s largest self-funded medical research charity. In 2024, the Adelaide-based charity donated $4.5 million to scientists developing new disease therapies, AI-powered clinical solutions and novel healthcare technologies.
Websites: curecell.org | aushealth.com.au

29/09/2025

Breathe easy: the remarkable story of David Cranston, AusHealth’s bacteriophage pioneer patient

When nasal surgery left Adelaide nurse David Cranston fighting a drug-resistant infection, traditional treatments offered little relief. Struggling to breathe and spending hundreds of dollars a week to manage his symptoms, he turned to bacteriophage therapy, a century-old approach now being revived as a potential weapon against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. David became the first patient treated by the AusHealth Phage Therapy Centre, an Adelaide-based research facility at the Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research. Researchers developed a personalised therapy that dramatically improved David's quality of life — and now offers fresh hope to others suffering from similar infections.

The AusHealth Phage Therapy Centre was set up through a collaboration between AusHealth and The University of Adelaide.

Read the full article here:https://www.aushealth.com.au/latest-news/

22/09/2025

Sharing science with people who want to make a difference

AusHealth’s Business Development and Commercialisation Manager, Dr Tina Lavranos, was delighted to speak at a special high tea fundraiser at the Hellenic Macedonian Cultural Centre, hosted by the Society of Pavlos Melas.

The event drew more than 100 people, all eager to hear about the incredible scientific research being supported by AusHealth. Tina shared updates on projects seeking new treatments for the likes of myelofibrosis (a rare bone marrow cancer), diabetes and drug-resistant infections. She was joined by presenters Dr Winnie Kan and Professor Angel Lopez.

For many in the room, the science was deeply personal.

“It was lovely to speak with people keen to share their own experiences with cancer after the presentation,” says Tina. “They were very interested to learn that scientists are still working hard to discover the next generation of therapies. Equally inspiring is the Society’s efforts to engage younger generations, ensuring the legacy of giving, learning and supporting science continues well into the future.”

The fundraiser was also an opportunity to make a tangible difference: the Society of Pavlos Melas generously donated proceeds of over $2,000 to the AusHealth CureCell Awards, supporting PhD students who are advancing cell and biological therapies.

According to AusHealth CEO, Dr Justin Coombs, “It’s incredibly inspiring to see communities come together in support of science. The generosity of the Society of Pavlos Melas not only helps fund vital medical research but also moves the next generation to believe in the difference medical breakthroughs can make.

“Events like this remind us that behind every breakthrough is a community of people who want to see science change people’s lives.”

Over its life AusHealth has contributed more than $50 million to Australian-led research in disease therapies, AI-powered clinical solutions and novel healthcare technologies.

Since becoming a registered charity in 2023, AusHealth gratefully accepts donations and bequests from individuals and companies.

If you would like to help us make tomorrow healthier for all Australians by arranging a donation or bequest, please contact AusHealth Ventures: ventures@aushealth.com.au

The AusHealth Hospital Research Fund LTD is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) under ABN 85 657 333 858.

09/09/2025

BUSTING THE MYTHS OF MEDICAL RESEARCH

By Associate Professor Daniel Thomas

Daniel Thomas is a clinical haematologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and cancer scientist who develops new drugs for the treatment of rare and hard-to-treat cancers. As Program Director of Blood Cancers at SAHMRI, he leads a creative and innovative cancer research laboratory.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵: 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 ‘𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝗴𝘀’

Probably the biggest myth to bust is that medical research treats people as guinea pigs, or that science ‘experiments on people’. I work as a blood cancer specialist and patients on our medical research trials live a lot longer than other patients. That's been shown repeatedly in oncology and haematology. There is incredible trial activity taking place because of medical research, and patients can move from one life-saving treatment to another. So, the majority of cancer patients do not feel like they’re ‘guinea pigs’ – they've had access to something life-changing when there were no other options.

In addition, many people don’t realise how complex human ethics approvals are in order for research to continue. I'm very busy, but a big chunk of my time is spent carefully writing and amending human ethics protocols to make sure everything is done properly.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵: 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁

Medical research is a lot more creative than people realise. It's not just rote-learning facts in a scientific textbook, it can involve believing in your gut that something might be real before you can completely prove it. You have an idea, but you also need to be open to being wrong.

Most of our discoveries in the last 15 years have been serendipitous. They came about when we were working on something, then we noticed something unusual. So yes, you do need experience to tell that something is unusual – but most of it is completely out of your control.

The cell and the human body is still infinitely more complex than any computer. My personal worldview helps to enjoy rather than be terrified by that! Interestingly, so far AI is not going to come up with amazing research outcomes, because large language models are mostly based on what has been done before and probability. It's not trained to creatively do something really different and does not have intrinsic understanding of why something worked.

Read the full article: https://www.aushealth.com.au/busting-the-myths-of-medical-research/

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