Monash Memo - articles - 05 December 2001

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Prestigious fellowships for young researchers

Two young Monash researchers have won Victoria Fellowships inrecognition of their pioneering scientific research.

Mr Paul Cullen(pictured), a researcher in the Department of Microbiology, and MsSuhasini Kulkarni (pictured), a senior research scientist in theAustralian Centre for Blood Diseases at Box Hill Hospital, were eachawarded a $15,000 grant by the Victorian Government.

They are two ofsix 'emerging leaders' in the fields of science, engineering andtechnology to win the fellowships that will allow them to undertakespecialist training overseas or to develop ideas with commercialpotential.

PhD student Mr Paul Cullen was recognised for hisgroundbreaking research into the infectious disease Leptospira. Thedisease, one of the most prevalent zoonoses, or diseases transmittedfrom animals to humans, can be fatal if left untreated. Currently, thereare no vaccines licensed for human use in Australia.

Mr Cullen haspioneered a way of separating and identifying proteins from the surfaceof Leptospira. The breakthrough has the potential to be used in thedevelopment of a vaccine, as well as a diagnostic kit for people at riskfrom the disease, such as dairy farmers, veterinarians and abattoirworkers.

As part of his fellowship, Mr Cullen will travel to the USto work with world experts to test the novel proteins as potentialvaccine components for both humans and animals.

Ms Kulkarni haspioneered a new technique to study how blood clots form. The discoverycould lead to the development of a new generation of anti-clotting drugsthat will be more powerful in preventing heart attacks andstrokes.

Currently undertaking a PhD in medicine at Monash, MsKulkarni will use her Victoria Fellowship to travel to the US andEngland to acquire expertise in fast-scanning laser microscopy.

Sheexpects to learn more about how to use this technique to refine hernovel in-vitro and in-vivo models for the formation of bloodclots.

The Governor of Victoria, Mr John Landy, presented Mr Cullenand Ms Kulkarni with their awards at a gala ceremony at Government Houserecently.