Top Qld researcher receives funding boost for leukaemia work

Professor Geoff Hill, chair of immunology at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), has been awarded a second round Senior Clinical Research Fellowships (SCRF) from the Queensland Government to support his work on improving bone marrow transplant success for leukaemia sufferers.

Former Queenslander of the year, Professor Hill is a world renowned medical researcher having published over 70 peer reviewed articles in leading international health and medical research journals.

He receives one of only six SCRF fellowships to be awarded between 2009 and 2012 as part of the Queensland Government’s $25 million Health and Medical Research Program. Each fellowship is valued at around $850,000 per annum for five years to cover salary and project costs.

Professor Hill said that he hoped the fellowship would help him to deliver better bone marrow outcomes for the 2,000 or so Australians diagnosed each year with leukaemia, in addition to improved patient care.

In particular, he cited the development and trial of innovative cell and drug based therapies in a partnership between QIMR and the bone marrow transplant unit of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital as a key project.

“Bone marrow transplantation is the most effective therapy for the majority of those with blood cancer,” Professor Hill said.

“Unfortunately, this process can produce unwanted side effects including infection, or rejection of the healthy stem cells.”

It is hoped that his current work will produce innovative new therapies, leading ultimately to a reduction in the number of fatalities and severity of side effects following bone marrow transplant in leukaemia sufferers.