Notable australians who have contributed to medical research and/or breakthroughs
There are countless Australian health professionals, researchers, scientists, professors and educators whose value of contributions to medical research and breakthroughs are immeasurable. These men and women have been able to transform and revolutionise the way diseases are treated, diagnosed and prevented through the finding of cures, groundbreaking research, investigation, clinical studies and discoveries over the years. Obviously, there are too many for me to list, but I have researched some past and present Australians who have made a significant difference to the lives of people worldwide through their work:
Professor Michael Alpers AO
His breakthrough research enabled a fatal neurological disease to be discovered to be transmissible through human flesh.
Professor Antony Burgess AC
One of Australia's top cancer researchers recognised for his work in purifying and cloning the blood cell growth factor GM-CSF. This helps the bone-marrow cells of cancer patients to recover when receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Professor Michael Good AO
He has spent over 25 years researching and investigating a prevention vaccine for the malaria disease. Through this, after discovering a connection between the two, Good has developed a trial vaccine for malaria and rheumatic fever.
Professor Linda Kristjanson
For over 30 years, Professor Kristjanson has been a palliative care researcher. In recognition of her entrepreneurial work in health and science, she was named the 2002 Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
Dr Helen Mayo OBE
Dr Mayo founded the Mother's and Babies' Health Association in 1927. She worked as a physician for four decades and during this time, South Australia's infant mortality rate fell by 60%.
Professor Elizabeth Blackburn AC
Awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of how the ends of chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, Professor Blackburn discovered the molecular nature of telomeres.
Professor Richard Larkins AO
Currently, Australia's second biggest killer is deaths due to stroke. However, over the past 30 years, this number has greatly declined as a result of new treatments, improved prevention and a greater awareness of the risks. As the current President of the National Stroke Foundation, Professor Richard Larkins has contributed to stroke prevention awareness as well as assisting in new research and fundraising. In this way, through his research initiatives, he hopes to reduce the impact of stroke.
Professor Michael Alpers AO
His breakthrough research enabled a fatal neurological disease to be discovered to be transmissible through human flesh.
Professor Antony Burgess AC
One of Australia's top cancer researchers recognised for his work in purifying and cloning the blood cell growth factor GM-CSF. This helps the bone-marrow cells of cancer patients to recover when receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Professor Michael Good AO
He has spent over 25 years researching and investigating a prevention vaccine for the malaria disease. Through this, after discovering a connection between the two, Good has developed a trial vaccine for malaria and rheumatic fever.
Professor Linda Kristjanson
For over 30 years, Professor Kristjanson has been a palliative care researcher. In recognition of her entrepreneurial work in health and science, she was named the 2002 Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
Dr Helen Mayo OBE
Dr Mayo founded the Mother's and Babies' Health Association in 1927. She worked as a physician for four decades and during this time, South Australia's infant mortality rate fell by 60%.
Professor Elizabeth Blackburn AC
Awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of how the ends of chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, Professor Blackburn discovered the molecular nature of telomeres.
Professor Richard Larkins AO
Currently, Australia's second biggest killer is deaths due to stroke. However, over the past 30 years, this number has greatly declined as a result of new treatments, improved prevention and a greater awareness of the risks. As the current President of the National Stroke Foundation, Professor Richard Larkins has contributed to stroke prevention awareness as well as assisting in new research and fundraising. In this way, through his research initiatives, he hopes to reduce the impact of stroke.