2024 Health Research Grants Announced
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Health Research Grants, which will fund a wide range of innovative child health research initiatives.
This year’s grants span diverse areas, including hearing, perioperative care, preterm birth prevention, concussion impact, infectious diseases, and food allergies.
In particular, seven of the grants focus on mental health, reflecting the growing emphasis on this critical area of child health research and the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that address mental health and wellbeing.
The most recent grants support research at The Kids Research Institute, University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, and the Perron Institute.
Research and Partnerships Manager Dr Gervase Chaney said the grant recipients were selected following a rigorous application and interview process, evaluated by the Foundation’s Health Research Advisory Panel.
“The panel, comprising clinicians, scientists and community representatives, ensures that each grant is awarded based on its potential impact, scientific merit, feasibility, consumer/community involvement, and alignment with the Foundation’s giving guidelines.”
The Foundation’s Health Research funding for 2024 includes a total of 32 recipients across two key streams:
People and Platforms grants supporting clinical and scientific researchers and essential infrastructure, including equipment, facilities, data solutions, and research training.
Programs and Partnerships grants aimed at collaborative, outcome-driven initiatives focusing on long-term, transformative outcomes. The Foundation encourages projects that involve partnerships and co-funding from multiple stakeholders, particularly those that build research capacity within Western Australia.
By supporting innovative research, we aim to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live a healthier, happier life and reach their full potential.
For more information on our research funding and application process, please visit Health Research Grants.
HEALTH RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS DECEMBER 2024
PEOPLE
Dr Gail Alvares (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Developing novel solutions for the autism mental healthcare crisis
Dr Erin Kelty (The University of Western Australia)
Safety of mental health pharmacotherapies in pregnancy: To continue, cease or switch?
Professor Mark Boyes (Curtin University)
Supporting the mental needs of children with language difficulties
Dr Adam Edwards (Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science)
Reducing the burden of neonatal encephalopathy and neuroimaging
Associate Professor Debra Palmer (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Preventing food allergies in Western Australian children
Dr Pamela Laird (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Innovative Solutions and Partnerships for Indigenous Respiratory (and other health) Excellence (INSPIRE)
Dr Vanessa Fear (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Transforming tomorrow. Early genetic diagnosis to improve the life trajectory for WA children
Dr Penelope Strauss (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Advancing the care of trans young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing
Dr Alison McDonnell (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Paving the way for effective immunotherapy in children with Neuroblastoma
Dr Charlie McLeod (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
ADAPTIVAX - an adaptive platform for vaccine trials in Western Australia to generate evidence to optimise immunisation practice and policy
Professor Nick Golding (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Forecasting and Analytics to Protect West Australian Kids from Future Epidemics
Dr Emma Glasson (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Siblings of children with developmental disabilities: Improving mental health and wellbeing through better visibility
Dr Kate Dorozenko (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Siblings of children with developmental disabilities: Improving mental health and wellbeing through better visibility
Associate Professor Matthew Payne (The University of Western Australia)
Prevention of preterm birth using vaginal microbial biomarkers and new antimicrobial treatments
Prof Mark Nicol (The University of Western Australia)
Developing respiratory probiotics to prevent pneumonia and asthma in children
Dr Lexy Staniland (Curtin University)
Transforming Mental Health Services and Supports for Neurodivergent Youth in Western Australia
Dr Sarah Hellewell (Curtin University / Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science)
Illuminating the Impact: Investigating the Contribution and Consequences of Brain Inflammation and White Matter Damage to Child and Adolescent Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms
Dr Timothy Barnett (The University of Western Australia)
Targeting the host–pathogen interface to reduce the burden of Strep A-associated disease
Prof Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg (The University of Western Australia)
Optimising perioperative outcomes for Western Australian children- advancing knowledge and translating research findings into clinical practice improvements
Dr Bree Foley (The University of Western Australia)
Harnessing the power of natural killer cells to treat cancer
Mr Matthew De Livre (The University of Western Australia: Rural Clinical School of WA)
Assessing the implementation of a Co-designed health promotion program targeted at Type 2 Diabetes as an Aboriginal community empowerment model across the life course
PLATFORMS
SENSitivity: Sensing Movement Trends in Early Childhood for Better Health Outcomes
Chief Investigator — Professor Hayley Christian (The Kids Research Institute Australia on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)
Paediatric audiological booth with equipment
Chief Investigator — Dr Robyn Choi (The University of Western Australia)
Establishment of WA Human Milk Research Biorepository
Chief Investigator — Professor Donna Geddes (The University of Western Australia)
PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Improving practice and care co-ordination for women/families facing adversity during the perinatal period
Chief Investigator — Professor Rhonda Marriott (Murdoch University)
Understanding the Long-term Physiological and Psychological Impacts of Paediatric Burns Injury for Improved, Individualised Patient Care
Chief Investigator — Professor Fiona Wood (Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation)
Streamlining the development of antisense therapeutics for Western Australian children with rare genetic disorders
Chief Investigator — Dr May Aung-Htut (Murdoch University)
Research See Funding
Chief Investigator — Professor Tim Jones (Child and Health Adolescent Services)
Research Collaboration Awards (Child Health)
Chief Investigator — Dr Amelia Scaffidi (The Raine Medical Research Foundation/The University of Western Australia)
For a full list of health research grant recipients, please visit Health Research Recipients.