Microsoft word - viertel media release_final 2006.doc

Media Release


For immediate release: 15 December 2006
Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable
Foundation medical research grants announced

The Trustees of the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation have
announced the 2007 recipients of its medical research grant programs: Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship and Clinical Investigatorships. Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowships are one of the most prestigious awards for young researchers in Australia. The 2007 recipients are Dr Maria (Carola) Garcia de Vinuesa from John Curtin School of Medical Research and Dr Jennifer (Jane) Pillow from
The 2007 Viertel Clinical Investigatorships recipients were Dr Caroline Marshall,
University of Melbourne, Dr Neil Spratt, John Hunter Hospital, Dr Toby Trahair, University of New South Wales and Dr David Williams, Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Linda Sheppard, Manager ANZ Trustees, “Philanthropic support for medical research is
vital. It sends a strong message both to researchers and to government about the importance of nurturing and developing this vital area. Support for Australian medical researchers helps retain intellectual capital and intellectual property within Australia – two important assets for Australia’s future. Charles Viertel was a visionary in his recognition of this. Since it’s inception in 1993, the Foundation has helped over 100 Australian researchers to further their career in Australia. We extend our congratulations to the 2007 grant recipients.” As a recipient of the Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship, Dr Garcia de Vinuesa and Dr Pillow join a distinguished group of scientists who have received these awards. The Fellowships have played an important role in fostering the development of some of Australia’s most accomplished young scientists. The Fellowships provides $975,000 for both salary and project support to allow the scientists to pursue their research, and develop a research team. The Fellowship will ensure Dr Vinuesa can continue her research into genetics and immunology, and contribute towards our understanding of cancer and the body’s defence system. Dr Pillow will be able to establish her career in Australia and further her research into the lungs of preterm babies with the aim of improving care and mortality www.anz.com/aus/fin/trustees Page 1 of 2 The Clinical Investigatorships are awarded to Clinician Scientists within two years of taking up their first substantive appointments and consist of a one-off grant of $60,000. They are designed to assist clinicians who have completed their professional and research training to establish research programs within the clinical setting. The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation was established to benefit organisations involved in medical research, the alleviation of hardship of the aged and infirm and “with a general charitable intent”. Today the Foundation is one of the largest Mr George Curphey, Justice Debra Mullins, Mr Rex Freudenberg and ANZ Trustees are the trustees of the Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation. For further information:
Communications Manager, Philanthropy Partners, ANZ Trustees Tel: 03 9273 0807 or Email: [email protected]
Attachment 1: 2007 Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowships

Name University

Attachment 2: 2007 Viertel Clinical Investigatorships

Name University/
Institute Project
Do rapid detection & isolation of colonised patients reduce MRSA mutations in cellular genes which contribute to the development of the A therapeutic trial of amantadine in PSP www.anz.com/aus/fin/trustees Page 2 of 2

Source: http://www.anz.com.au/documents/au/aboutanz/Viertelmediarelease_Final2006.pdf