In an exciting boost for child health research, eight early-career researchers have been awarded prestigious BrightSpark Fellowships to advance their innovative work in improving the health and wellbeing of children. These Fellowships, funded by the BrightSpark Foundation, the Department of Health’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, reflect a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.
The Fellowship recipients, chosen for their groundbreaking research proposals, will focus on a range of child health challenges, including early disease detection, heart disease in childhood burns, mental health interventions, and new treatments for Streptococcus infections.
- Dr Ritika Kar Bahal
- Dr Blair Johnson
- Dr Sonia McAlister
- Dr Emily McLeish
- Dr August Mikucki
- Dr Renee Ng
- Dr Jacinta Saldaris
- Dr Mohinder Sarna
Full details of the Fellowships can be found here.
The selection process was highly competitive, with applications being reviewed by representatives from WA’s premier child health research organisations. These independent reviewers assessed each application for its scientific quality and its potential impact on child health research for children in WA.
Emeritus Professor Lyn Beazley AO, Patron of BrightSpark Foundation, praised the calibre of applicants and the potential impact of their work.
Brightspark is a wonderful program with lots of “runs on the board” already. The program has supported brilliant early career medical researchers so that they can kick start their own science agendas. I have no doubt that this year’s Brightspark Fellows will progress to be outstanding medical researchers in their own right and that their research will give more children the best chance of a healthy life.
Mr Graham Dowland, Chair of BrightSpark Foundation, echoed this sentiment.
These fellowships are designed to encourage talented researchers at the start of their careers, paving the way for breakthroughs that will benefit countless children and families.
The three co-funders played a pivotal role in making these fellowships possible. The BrightSpark Foundation, renowned for championing paediatric health research, emphasized the importance of investing in early-career talent to build a sustainable pipeline of scientific discovery. The Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, a key supporter of interdisciplinary research, highlighted the fellowships as a way to address pressing health issues through innovation. Meanwhile, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is long recognized for its contributions to children’s health and wellbeing, reiterated its commitment to funding initiatives that improve the lives of young Australians.
Each recipient will receive Fellowship financial support from the three co-funders over the next three years. Each Fellows’ WA research institution provides 30% of the Fellowship funding together with vital scientific mentoring and supervision enabling the Fellows to pursue their research full-time and collaborate with leading experts in their respective fields.
This initiative underscores the vital role philanthropy and collaboration play in advancing medical research, particularly in areas that directly impact future generations. By equipping these early-career researchers with the resources they need, the fellowships promise to drive impactful discoveries in child health.
The Minister for Medical Research, Hon Stephen Dawson, announced the outcomes on 25 October 2024.
The eight Fellows will commence their research projects in early 2025.
L-R: Dr Emily McLeish, Dr Mohinder Sarna, Dr August Mikucki, Dr Sonia McAlister, Emeritus Professor Lyn Beazley AO, Dr Renee Ng, Dr Jacinta Saldaris, Dr Blair Johnson (Dr Ritika Kar Bahal not present)