Nominations open for 36th Award for Research Excellence

GSK has opened up nominations for its annual Award for Research Excellence (ARE), said to be one of the most prestigious available to the Australian medical research community.

Since 1980, the award has recognised outstanding achievements in medical research and facilities career development with potential importance to human health and Australian research. It has assisted Australia’s research heroes by providing the winner with an $80,000 grant to support their research journey.

“The award is a flagship program for GSK Australia and viewed as prestigious in the Australian research community,” said GSK Medical Director Dr Andrew Weekes. “Past winners of the award are among Australia’s brightest hopes for delivering breakthroughs in medical science.”

Professors James McCluskey and Jamie Rossjohn, from The University of Melbourne and Monash University, won the award in 2015 for their work on how the immune system identifies and fights disease. Professor Rossjohn said the researchers were “delighted to win the award”, which helped their team nurture new talent in their laboratories.

“It’s a privilege to be able to recognise advances in immunology, cancer, muscular disease and other areas,” said Dr Weekes. “We always look forward to recognising the winner for their vision and dedication.”

Successful applicants are generally mid-career researchers with a longstanding commitment to their field. Nomination information can be found on the GSK website or by emailing are.arenominations@gsk.com.

Nominations close on 4 July, with the winner to be announced on 16 November at the Annual Research Australia Awards, Sydney.