Researchers from UQ’s Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences will lead three new projects awarded over $2.7 million in funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Two HaBS-led projects have been awarded under the NHMRC Ideas Grant Scheme.
Professor Gregory Monteith, Professor Sarah Roberts-Thomson and Dr Melanie Robitaille from UQ’s School of Pharmacy have identified a specific new drug target that may hold the key to preventing or reversing tolerance to melanoma, lung and other cancer therapies.
The research team will utilise the grant to define the therapeutic opportunities this new drug target offers.
Dr Hayley Williams from UQ’s School of Psychology will co-design and evaluate a healing program under the leadership of First Nations youth that are most at risk of suffering from undetected and under-supported suicidal ideations and behaviours.
The resulting program is anticipated to incorporate peer mentorship with activities focused on promoting empowerment and wellbeing, building social connections, facilitating emotional regulation, and encouraging help seeking behaviours.
Another HaBS-led project has been awarded under the NHMRC Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Healthy Cities Implementation Science (HCIS) Team Grant Scheme.
Professor Genevieve Healy, Dr Ana Goode and Dr Sjaan Gomersall from UQ’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences will use funding to scale up the Small Steps for Big Changes program.
Following its initial success, the evidence-based type 2 diabetes prevention program will be expanded and delivered in community settings across Canada and Australia.
The trial will investigate how community, organisation, provider, and patient-level factors contribute to outcomes when organisations deliver the same program in different contexts.
Professor Karen Healy and Dr Jemma Venables from UQ’s School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work are contributing to a project led by Professor Gail Garvey from UQ’s Faculty of Medicine also awarded funding under the NHMRC- CIHR, HCIS Team Grant Scheme.
The project will apply a strengths-based approach to co-design culturally grounded programs to support and improve the wellbeing of First Nations youth.
The projects are among 31 awarded to The University of Queensland from the NHMRC, including 26 awards from the Ideas Grant scheme, four grants from the International Collaborations scheme, and one award from the Development Grants scheme.
A full list of UQ projects can be found on the UQ News website and more information on the projects is available on the NHMRC website.
