newy.com.au – Two University of Newcastle cardiovascular specialists have secured more than $1.1 million in NSW Government funding for research aimed at improving heart health and access to specialist care in regional and rural communities.
Cardiologist Professor Aaron Sverdlov will receive $748,104 to investigate cancer drug combinations that fight tumours while protecting the heart. His team will also establish a telehealth cardio-oncology service at Maitland and Tamworth, allowing patients to access specialist cardiovascular support closer to home during and after cancer treatment.
“With advances in cancer care, we are seeing more and more people who are surviving cancer, but unfortunately, many are left with heart problems caused by cancer treatment,” Professor Sverdlov said. “Our team in Newcastle is working to change that by developing better ways to protect the heart while helping patients receive the cancer care they need.”
Cardiorespiratory researcher Dr Tatt Jhong Haw has been awarded $450,000 to examine how exposure to air pollution from coal mining and bushfires during pregnancy affects infants, including their risk of developing heart and lung disease later in life.
The project will seek to identify early molecular warning signs of prenatal pollution exposure and support the development of predictive tests and preventative health measures. Dr Haw also plans to establish a regional research hub drawing on global partnerships and develop Hunter-specific screening tools and early-intervention therapies.
“This research aims to identify early molecular warning signs of prenatal pollution exposure, to help develop future predictive tests and preventative health interventions, and protect the lifelong heart and lung health of children in regional NSW,” Dr Haw said.
The Newcastle researchers are among 28 recipients in the latest round of the NSW Government’s $14 million Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant program. Other funded work covers safer immune therapies, the prevention of blood clots in life-support machines, heart rhythm monitoring devices, regenerative synthetic artery grafts and cardiovascular disease prevention strategies for adolescents.
The grants form part of the government’s Cardiovascular Research Capacity Program, a $150 million commitment over 10 years to improve cardiovascular health across NSW.
Minister for Medical Research David Harris said the projects would help regional communities receive care suited to their needs.
“Professor Sverdlov and Dr Haw’s important, innovative research is helping ensure people in our regional communities receive equitable access to healthcare that best suits their needs,” Mr Harris said.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the grants would help retain leading clinicians and researchers in the region.
“This funding will help drive research that has the potential to change lives, while making sure some of our brightest clinicians and researchers can continue their work right here in our region,” Ms Catley said.
More information is available through the Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant program.
