Molecular parasitologist awarded Endeavour Research Fellowship
Press release
23 November 2009
A postdoctoral researcher from the Faculty of Veterinary Science has received a prestigious Endeavour Research Fellowship from the Australian Government.
Dr Neil Young is one of 184 talented Australians to win the 2010 Endeavour Award, which provides high achieving scholars with the opportunity to undertake research and professional development in the Asia-Pacific or the Middle East.
A researcher in the Gasser Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Dr Young will visit institutions in South East Asia to research aspects of parasites that cause liver disease.
“Almost nothing is known about the fundamental biology of parasitic worms in the tropics that cause devastating diseases, affecting billions of animals and humans worldwide," Dr Young says. "In particular, parasitic worms have a major, long-term impact on human health and cause substantial suffering, particularly in children and the elderly.”
Dr Young's research will provide valuable insights into the molecular biology of socio-economically important but neglected pathogens. His findings will lead to radical new ways of controlling diseases caused by these parasites.
"The key long-term benefits of my research will include the development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests, which can be developed once we have a detailed understanding of parasite genomes and molecular biology as well as host-parasite relationships. Hence, there are major socioeconomic gains to be made by substantially improving our knowledge of such neglected pathogens.”
Ultimately, Dr Young sees his Fellowship as an opportunity to reduce needless suffering from preventable infectious diseases in developing countries across the world.
"Providing greater access to essential medicines, better drugs and vaccines is crucial to improving the health of people affected by these parasitic diseases. We can achieve this through fundamental research and advocacy. Harnessing the power of science is the key to developing novel and innovative strategies for controlling parasites.”
For further information please contact Hinalei Johnston, Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: h.johnston@unimelb.edu.au