Melbourne trailblazer scoops medical research award

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 12 May 2005 - 8:00 PDT

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Leading Melbourne scientist and Howard Florey Institute Director, Professor Frederick Mendelsohn, was today awarded the 2005 Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation Medal, honouring his significant contribution to medical research.

The annually awarded Medal honours Victorian scientists and health care professionals who make an outstanding contribution to research in the areas of palliative care or progressive neurological diseases.

In addition to the Medal, Professor Mendelsohn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his service to medicine. His advocacy of medical research at State and Commonwealth Government levels is widely recognised and he also spends considerable time raising awareness of medical research by addressing various community and business groups throughout Australia.

Under Professor Mendelsohn's leadership, the Howard Florey Institute is now Australia's largest neuroscience institute, recognised internationally for its innovative research. His own research achievements are particularly impressive and he is respected nationally and internationally for his contributions to medical research, is the author of more than 300 research publications, and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Professor Frederick Mendelsohn said he was delighted to accept the award.

"Receiving the medal is a great honour and to be recognised in this way for my contributions to medical research is humbling," Professor Mendelsohn said.

"I'd like to acknowledge the dedicated Howard Florey Institute staff, whose research will ultimately make a difference to the lives of those affected directly and indirectly by brain disorders."

"They are our unsung heroes and praise should be given to them."

The 2005 BGRF medal was presented to Professor Mendelsohn at a function at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in Melbourne on 12 May. The Medal was accompanied by a $5,000 prize, which Professor Mendelsohn has donated to the Howard Florey Institute.

At the same function, the Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation announced research grants worth $276,000 in the areas of palliative care, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and stroke recovery. Since its inception in 1994, the Foundation has committed over $2.7M to research bodies in Victoria including the Howard Florey Institute.

The Howard Florey Institute is Australia's leading brain research centre. Its scientists undertake clinical and applied research that can be developed into treatments to combat brain disorders, and into new medical practices. Their discoveries will improve the lives of those directly, and indirectly, affected by brain and mind disorders in Australia, and around the world. The Florey's research areas cover a variety of brain and mind disorders including Parkinson's disease, stroke, motor neuron disease, addiction, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, autism and dementia.

http://www.hfi.unimelb.edu.au

Contact: Merrin Rafferty
m.rafferty@hfi.unimelb.edu.au
61-38-344-1658
Research Australia
http://www.researchaustralia.com.au

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