Research Grants Announced

Health Minister Jack Snelling has announced the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) as one of six recipients of the inaugural LSA Research Grants.

The SAHMRI was awarded $250,000 to find revolutionary solutions to spinal cord injuries from vehicle accidents.

The research will be undertaken in partnership with the Neil Sachse Foundation, and use a cyclotron, or particle accelerator, located at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

Minister for Health Jack Snelling said the research program has dedicated $500,000 to foster high-quality treatment and support for people catastrophically injured in motor vehicle accidents.

“The grants back researchers to study a diverse range of areas, which have the potential to benefit people who sustain serious injuries including paraplegia, quadriplegia or brain injuries,” Mr Snelling said.

“The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute will use its grant to study innovative solutions to positron emission tomography scanning of spinal cord injuries.

“In partnership with the Neil Sachse Foundation, the research will utilise a cyclotron, or particle accelerator, located at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

“The technology focuses on spinal cord inflammation and may lead to improved scanning of affected areas, better surgical intervention and improved patient outcomes,” Mr Snelling said.

Other successful grants were awarded to:

• The University of South Australia for their project which will explore client and caregiver perspectives to inform best practice;
• Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and the Royal Adelaide Hospital for their study tapping into technology available for individuals with tetraplegia;
• The Flinders University for their study to support people with complex trauma injuries and their families to maximise participation through community mobility;
• The University of Adelaide for their project to develop a preliminary trial of an on-line vocational program for adults with spinal cord injury; and
• Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and their project exploring education addressing recognition of the signs of brain injury related fatigue.

The Research Grants were offered by the LSA for the first time, and asked for proposals that will inform the provision of high-quality services to participants of the Lifetime Support Scheme.

The research fund totalled $500,000 and research projects will be completed by 30 June 2016.

Image – above right L–R: Health Minister Jack Snelling, Lois Boswell, Neil Sachse, Prof Julio Licinio.
Image – below L–R: Prof Julio Licinio, Prof Steve Wesselingh, Lois Boswell, Cyclotrone Scientist Parabjit Singh Takhar, Health Minister Jack Snelling MP, Neil Sachse [front middle].

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This article was featured in the September 2015 Edition of LSS News. The LSS Update is a quarterly enewsletter from Lois and the LSA team.

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