Three Times Proves It

One of Australia’s most valued scientific awards is now among the many honours conferred on three remarkable researchers.

Leading-edge research in renal disease treatment saw Professor Melissa Little from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) this year become the third UQ scientist to win the prestigious GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence.

Only three women scientists have received the award, and all have been at UQ when chosen.

UQ honorary doctorate recipient and leading clinical pharmacologist Professor Susan Pond won the award in 1992, and Professor Julie Campbell won in 1995 for her pioneering work in vascular biology.

The name of the award has changed, but it has always recognised distinguished discoveries in scientific and medical research leading to demonstrated or potential benefit to human health.

• Professor Little is researching kidney development and the causes of renal disease, which cause great suffering and cost $1 billion per annum in Australia.
  “We are investigating the potential of stem cell technology to restore or replace damaged, diseased tissues in the kidney,” she said.
  Professor Little received further recognition in August when she was selected as the Australian 2006 Eisenhower Fellow, which will see her travel to the US for two months to meet other world scientific and reseach leaders.
  
  
• Professor Campbell is a Senior Principal Research Fellow of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Director of the Centre for Research in Vascular Biology at UQ, and Director of the Wesley Research Institute.
  Her major research interest for 30 years has been the cell biology of vascular smooth muscle in normal artery walls and in diseased states such as atherosclerosis. She is developing a means by which patients can grow new veins inside their own bodies.
  Professor Campbell was elected to the Australian Academy of Science in 2000.
  She was also honoured with a Centenary Medal in 2003 and was selected as a Queensland Great in 2004.
  
  
  
• Professor Pond is the Director of Pharmaceutical Research with Johnson Research Pty Ltd and is also an Adjunct Professor with UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences.
  Professor Pond won the Wellcome Australia Medal in 1992 while a Professor of Medicine at UQ.
  She was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1994, awarded the Michael Rand Medal in 1995, made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 1996 and won a Centenary Medal in 2003.

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