Sir Edward Dunlop Medical Research Foundation Grants have ceased.
We are no longer taking applications for Medical Research Grants. The final year of this program was 2025.
2025 Grant Recipients
On 20 May 2025, the Foundation Board was pleased to present this year’s Weary Dunlop grants in what was a very competitive field of applications. The 2025 grant recipients are:
Dr James Bell
Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, La Trobe University.
Title: Identifying novel preventative therapeutic targets for irregular heart rhythms
The project aims to develop new treatments for atrial fibrillation – a common heart ailment that leads to stroke, heart failure and death. Aging, diabetes and obesity are strong risk factors for atrial fibrillation, and especially prevalent in Australian veterans. This project has potential to significantly improve the treatments and health outcomes for veterans and their families.
Dr Nadia Kershaw
Laboratory Head, Department of Structural Biology, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Title: The Thrombopoietin Receptor: Structure, Function and Therapeutic Opportunities
Primary myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia, and immune thrombocytopenia are blood disorders which have been acknowledged by the RMA as impacting veterans and their families. This project aims to address an unmet medical need by generating data that will aid in the development of alternative treatment strategies for these diseases.
Dr Barbara Fam White – Diabetes Grant
Senior Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, Austin Health and ACADI, University of Melbourne
Title: Targeted mRNA Therapies for Diabetic Kidney Disease.
Diabetes, a growing concern among veterans and the general population, often leads to kidney disease. We’re developing innovative new therapies targeting both blood sugar control and kidney inflammation. This study aims to create more effective treatments that could slow or reverse kidney damage, potentially benefiting millions, including our veterans.
Dr Varun Venkatesh
Senior Research Associate, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health
Title: Estradiol, a potential new therapeutic to alleviate androgen deprivation therapy mediated bone loss.
Veterans face a higher risk of osteoporosis and prostate cancer, both of which increase fracture risk and reduce quality of life. This project will help develop better treatments to protect bone health, particularly for veterans undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, reducing fractures and enhancing long-term health outcomes.
Dr Shanie Landen
Early Career Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Molecular Translational Science, Monash University.
Title: A genetic approach to understand sex differences in musculoskeletal ageing.
Australian veterans are at greater risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders such as sarcopenia and osteoporosis compared to the general community. My work involves finding sex-specific drivers to these conditions, to enable former Australian service personnel, their families, and the extended community to enjoy healthier and more active lives.
Dr James Theurele
Acting Director of Cardiology, Director of Heart Failure Services, Department of Cardiology, Austin Health & Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne Austin Health.
Title: Solving the problem of heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes.
The Veteran population and their families may develop type 2 diabetes which puts them at risk of an enlarged heart or left ventricular hypertrophy. We shall assess if a simple genetic test can identify people with diabetes at risk of an enlarged heart and if the test can predict heart failure and mortality.
Dr Alfred Pak-Kwan Lo – Mental Health Grant
PhD candidate, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health
Title: Trauma and Functional Neurological Disorder
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a disabling mental health condition prevalent in veterans. Its cause, however, remains unclear. Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques, this project aims to examine how trauma may contribute to FND. Ultimately, this will inform precise assessment and treatment for people with FND, including veterans.
Dr Ali Ghasem-Zadeh
Senior Research Fellow, Departments of Endocrinology and Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne
Title: Application of Deep Learning Artificial Intelligence on 3D High-Resolution images of Bone Microarchitecture to Identify Chronic Kidney Disease Patients at Risk of Fragility Fracture
Patients with CKD often exhibit osteopenia or normal BMD rather than osteoporosis. Despite these modest BMD deficits, their bone strength is compromised due to microarchitectural deterioration, significantly increasing bone fragility. The assessment of microarchitecture using advanced imaging and image analysis methods can help identify CKD patients at higher risk of fragility fractures at early stages, potentially enabling preventive measures before fractures occur.
This years Grant Recipients (absent Dr Ali Ghasem-Zadeh) with Professor Zajac (back left) and Dennis Payne (Treasurer) and Robert Winther (Chair) right.
