Auckland Medical Research Foundation awards more than $1.8m to medical researchers

Research projects at The University of Auckland ranging from the therapeutic management of noise and age-related hearing loss to trying to identify the best embryo to use in IVF with older women will be undertaken thanks to the latest funding round of the Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF).

The second AMRF granting round for 2012 saw $1,829,582 in funding to medical researchers in the Auckland region.

THE AMRF promotes research of high scientific value and purpose across the full spectrum of medical science. AMRF Executive Director, Kim McWilliams says, “More research is the only way we can ensure genuine advances in medicine and outcomes for patients. Many of these researchers are already, or will go on to become, leaders internationally recognised in their particular discipline or field of medicine.”

Says Professor John Fraser, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences: “We are once again humbled and thrilled by the support the AMRF provides our researchers at the University.

“The AMRF have stood behind research in the region over six decades, and their support has had direct and positive effects on the lives and outcomes of many, many New Zealanders. We could not be more appreciative of their unflagging support.”

The successful grants included 12 research projects ($1,355,887); three travel grants ($6,385) for researchers to present their research overseas, three doctoral scholarships ($302,250) and one fellowship ($165,060).

Project grants were awarded over a variety of areas ranging from hearing loss, obesity, immune deficiency and neurological disease to breast cancer research, mapping of persistent atrial fibrillation and head injury.

The AMRF is a major independent funding agency and charitable trust that provides contestable funding for medical research across the complete spectrum of modern medicine. Over the last 57 years it has distributed over $47 million in funding to a wide range of research activities – currently around $3 million annually.

For further information on the current grants see www.medicalresearch.org.nz