The power of the vote
Now in its second year, the Discovery Circle has grown in members and impact, playing an increasingly important role in advancing SAHMRI’s early and mid-career researchers and their life-changing work.
Discovery Circle members’ annual gift of $5000 engages them directly with SAHMRI’s rising stars. At an annual presentation evening members hear from a host of talented emerging researchers and vote on which of their projects receives a $100,000 award to boost their efforts.
2025 winner Dr Julian Carosi is using the funding to create advanced cell models as he targets harmful protein accumulations in the brain that contribute to dementia.
“It was a privilege to share my research vision with the Discovery Circle donors, to connect with them and discuss their thoughtful questions about dementia,” Julian said.
“I’m deeply honoured and grateful to the donors and thrilled about the new knowledge this award will help unlock.”
Thanks to the rise in generous donors joining the Discovery Circle, runners up were awarded $20,000 for their projects too. The grateful recipients were Dr Georgina Irish for her project on increasing donor utilisation and improving allocation for kidney transplant recipients, and Dr Naranie Shanmuganathan who is seeking to unravel the mechanisms involved in blast phase chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Founding Discovery Circle members Ian and Kathryn Sargent first took an interest in SAHMRI after reading about blood cancer research and being introduced to the Philanthropy and Strategic Engagement team through a friend. From there, it was an easy decision to join the Discovery Circle.
“We value having a voice in the research we support,” said Kathryn. “It is both empowering and engaging. I particularly enjoy hearing from the early career researchers, whose intelligence and passion are truly impressive.”
“We appreciate staying informed about the depth and sophistication of health and medical research in South Australia,” said Ian. “We are very proud that SAHMRI’s work has helped so many people around the world.”
After gaining further insight into SAHMRI’s research Ian and Kathryn have expanded their giving to support the Precision Cancer Medicine team and their work in blood cancer research. They plan to continue as Discovery Circle members for the foreseeable future, for the unique opportunity to meet with and directly support early-career researchers, who can struggle to pursue their brilliant ideas because of very low grant funding rates.
“We feel fortunate to be able to contribute, and it is deeply rewarding,” said Kathryn. “The sense of fulfilment that comes from giving is incredibly satisfying.”
“The challenge is choosing where to cast our Discovery Circle vote, because every researcher is so deserving,” said Ian. “The quality and importance of their work makes every decision a difficult one.”
If you'd like to learn more about giving to SAHMRI please contact Carly Hocking on 0400 176 137 or at carly.hocking@sahmri.com
Read more stories like this in our 2025 Impact Report
Take me there
SAHMRI is located on Kaurna Country. We pay respects to the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to embracing knowledge and culture as we continue our working journey to incorporate Aboriginal health research across all of our themes and further reconciliation.
Read more"Tirki nguta tappa tangka marninithi"
(Learning and knowledge are the pathway to alter the mind)
- Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien, Kaurna Elder
