SAHMRI heart leader tops national rankings

14 Jul 2016
SAHMRI heart leader tops national rankings

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is thrilled to announce that Professor Stephen Nicholls was awarded a prestigious research excellence prize by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as their top ranked Research Fellowship recipient for 2015, in Canberra on Wednesday evening. 

Professor Nicholls is Deputy Director and Heart Health Theme Leader at SAHMRI and Professor of Cardiology at the University of Adelaide. 

SAHMRI’s Executive Director, Professor Steve Wesselingh, said that this is an outstanding achievement. 

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Professor Nicholls’ calibre leading our Heart Health Theme. Professor Nicholls and his team play a vital role in ensuring SAHMRI research benefits those who need it most – patients,” Professor Wesselingh said. 

“To see the NHRMC, our national funding body, recognising one of our researchers for their excellence is really testament to the work we do here.” 

Why tackle heart disease? 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, killing more than 43,000 Australians every year - accounting for 30 per cent of all causes of death. This disease accounts for 1.1 million hospitalisations in Australia each year. An estimated one in five Australians have or have had cardiovascular disease, creating a huge burden on the community and on the health system. Reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease is critically important for Australia and globally. 

Professor Nicholls leads a comprehensive program of research, developing innovative approaches to predicting cardiovascular risk, advancing science to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, with integration into health care. He leads large multi-centre trials, spanning the globe, which deliver ground-breaking science to reduce this enormous burden. 

Professor Nicholls said he is grateful to receive this Research Fellowship, and very honoured to have been recognised as the NHMRC’s top ranked Fellow. 

“I’ve always been focused on ensuring my research translates directly into meaningful outcomes for cardiovascular patients – and this fellowship will ensure I can advance this work,” he said. 

“Given the enormous health, social and economic challenges presented by cardiovascular disease, I believe my research will make an important contribution to a healthier and economically prosperous Australia.” 

NHMRC Research Fellowships support the best Australian science 

The NHMRC Research Fellowships aim to: 

  • support work that fosters an intellectual environment which supports and builds the capacity of Australian research for the future 

  • create knowledge through investment in research which improves health and thus contributes to Australia’s prosperity. 

Professor Nicholls’ Research Fellowship is a five-year fellowship, supporting leading health and medical researchers in full-time research. 

Heart research to benefit patients globally 

Professor Nicholls’ work spans from lab bench to patient bedside, combining laboratory, clinical, population and health systems research with strategic interactions with: 

  • scientific partners across the translational spectrum 

  • global clinical research partners in large multicenter trials 

  • industry