Heart professor tops national rankings

Thursday, 14 July 2016

University of Adelaide cardiology professor Stephen Nicholls has been awarded a prestigious research excellence prize by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The NHMRC’s Research Excellence Awards are presented to the top-ranked applicants across NHMRC’s funding schemes. Professor Nicholls is their top-ranked Research Fellowship recipient for 2015, announced in Canberra last night.

Professor Nicholls is Professor of Cardiology at the University of Adelaide and Deputy Director and Heart Health Theme Leader at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

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 was 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.”

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; and 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.

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