Young 2010 Garvan Fellows named

The Garvan Institute has named two of its top upcoming scientists as Young 2010 Garvan Fellows with each to receive a grant of $25,000 to advance their research looking into treatments for cancer and diabetes.

Working with Garvan’s diabetes and obesity program, Dr Matt Prior has been exploring the molecular causes of insulin resistance at the cellular level, in particular the role played by insulin in transporting glucose to the cells and the reasons for the process failing in people with Type 2 diabetes.

“The Fellowship provides me with a fantastic opportunity to really further my career, and hopefully make a real difference to the quality of life for people with Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr Prior.

Dr Liz Caldon from Garvan’s Cancer program is endeavouring to understand the role played by the proteins cyclin E1 and cyclin E2 in the development of aggressive breast cancer, and the reasons for their impeding the effectiveness of anti-estrogen drugs such as Tamoxifen, currently considered the most effective treatment for the disease.

“This Fellowship will help me pursue my goal of making a difference to breast cancer sufferers by providing funding for me to investigate new ideas about the role of cyclin E1 and cyclin E2 in breast cancer, which will hopefully translate into better therapies,” she said.

The two Young fellows will be honoured at the Young Garvan’s All Ribbons Ball held in Sydney on August 14.

The 2010 Young Garvan Fellowships are the result of fundraising by the Young Garvan Committee as well as financial support from Pfizer Australia and Macquarie Private wealth, both of whom are also sponsors of the ball.