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Other Grants

AMRF offers a number of funding programmes to support researchers, small projects, publications costs, and more. Read more on the How to Apply page.

PHYSIOLOGIC RESERVE AND EMERGENCY LAPAROTOMY

2023

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-Up Awards

Dr Brittany Park ($30,000 - 1723003)

Dept. of Surgery, The University of Auckland

Research support for her Douglas Goodfellow Medical Research Fellowship

A CELL-BASED PLATFORM FOR STUDYING THE EFFECTS OF ULTRASOUND ON NEURONS FOLLOWING STRETCH RESEARCH

2023

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Ederlyn Perolina ($2,000 - 6723005)

School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Poster Presentation Award

PLACENTAL EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES PROVIDE TRANSIENT PROTECTION AGAINST CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE DEVELOPMENT IN RODENTS

2023

Summit Postdoctoral Research Presentation Award

Dr Sien Yee Lau

Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Research Presentation Award

INTER-TISSUE ANTIOXIDANT EXCHANGE IN THE EYE

2023

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Research Start-Up Awards

Dr Renita Martis ($30,000 – 1723002)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

Research support for her AMRF Postdoctoral Fellowship

NOVEL GENERATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL BRAIN SPHEROIDS USING DIRECT CELL REPROGRAMMING

2023

Healthex Emerging Research Awards

Jess Kelly ($3,000 - 6723004)

Dept. of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Oustanding Emerging Researcher Award

SUPPORT FOR THE 49TH ANNUAL FETAL AND NEONATAL PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING'S PLENARY LECTURE SPEAKER, PROF FRANCES NORTHINGTON FROM JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

2023

Sir Douglas Robb Memorial Fund

Dr Kelly Zhou ($2,907 - 1723004)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

TREATING IMPETIGO WITH ANTISEPTICS, REPLACING ANTIBIOTICS (TIARA): A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRAIL COMPARING TOPICAL IMPETIGO TREATMENTS

2023

Healthex Emerging Research Awards

Dr Sarah Primhak ($2,000 - 6723005)

Dept. of Paediatrics: Child and Young Health, The University of Auckland

AMRF Doctoral Oral Presentation Runner Up Award

CHANGES IN HOSPITAL ADMISSION FOR STROKE: FINDINGS FROM THE ARCOS STUDIES (1981-2022)

2023

AMRF Support of the 2023 Te Whatu Ora Waitematā Collaborative Research Symposium

Prof Rita Krishnamurthi ($500 - 6723002)

Naitonal Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Auckland University of Technology

AMRF Best Senior Researcher

A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM AT ADULT ED TRIAGE FOR PREDICTING HEALTH OUTCOMES

2023

AMRF Support of the 2023 Te Whatu Ora Waitematā Collaborative Research Symposium

Dr Zhenqiang Wu ($1,000 - 6722006)

Department of Geriatric Medicine, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Emerging Researcher

VISIT OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER MORAES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, MCGILL UNIVERSITY, CANADA, TO THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

2023

Sir Harcourt Caughey Award

Dr Joanna James ($11,664 - 1723001)

Dept. Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Auckland

TO DEVELOP EXPERTISE IN FLUID BIOMARKERS FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES THROUGH OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE AND COLLABORATION

2022

Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship

Dr Erin Cawston ($27,044 - 1722006)

Dept. of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Auckland

DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF SLOW REWARMING AFTER THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA FOR CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA IN NEAR-TERM FETAL SHEEP

2022

HealtheX Emerging Researcher Awards

Alice McDouall ($2,000 - 6722002)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Doctoral Oral Presentation Runner Up Award

THE USE OF OPTICAL COHERENECE TOMOGRAPHY TO VISUALIZE THE INNER EAR

2022

HealtheX Emerging Researcher Awards

Vanshika Chinchalkar ($2,000 - 6722003)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Poster Presentation Award

UNRAVELLING MECHANISMS OF LEADING CAUSES OF BLINDNESS AND CATARACT AND MYOPIA USING THE POWER OF ZEBRAFISH

2022

Sir Harcourt Caughey Award

Dr Irene Vorontsova ($25,000 - 1722004)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

SUPPORT FOR THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND PLACENTAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (ANZPRA) SATELLITE MEETING

2022

Sir Douglas Robb Memorial Fund

Dr Joanna James ($1,394 - 1722002)

Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Auckland

TAIOHI AND WHĀNAU HĪKOI FROM THE COMMUNITY INTO ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS: A KAUPAPA MĀORI STUDY

2022

AMRF support of the Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Research Week

Debra Gerrard ($1,000 - 6722005)

Nursing, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau

Best Oral Presentation Award in Māori Health Research at the 2022 Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Research Week

PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAMME: TO DISCOVER POTENTIAL NEW THERAPIES FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

2022

Douglas Goodfellow Charitable Trust Award

Dr Peter Freestone ($130,000 – 1722001)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

One Year Extension to the Davis and Carr Senior Research Fellowship awarded in 2020.

EFFECT OF MITOTEMPO, A MITOCHONDRIA-TARGETED ANTIOXIDANT, IN PROTECTING AGAINST AGE-RELATED SENSORY HAIR CELL DEGENERATION AND HEARING LOSS IN MICE

2022

Sir Harcourt Caughey Award

Dr Winston Tan ($25,000 - 1722003)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

BRAIN TEMPERATURE AS A MEASURE OF NEUROINFLAMMATION: ASSESSMENT USING WHOLE-BRAIN MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

2022

HealtheX Emerging Researcher Awards

Julia Plank ($3,000 - 6722001)

School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland

AMRF Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award

INHIBITING THE NLRP3 INFLAMMASOME PATHWAY PREVENTING AGE-REGLATED COGNITIVE AND RETINAL DECLINE

2022

Summit Postdoctoral Research Presentation Award

Dr Lola Mugisho ($3,000 - 6722004)

Dept. of Ophthalmology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Research Presentation Award

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADVANCED 3D MODEL OF BEAST CANCER USING TUMOUR ORGANOIDS

2022

Kelliher Charitable Trust Award

Dr Emma Nolan ($30,000 - 1722005)

Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland

Research support for the Douglas Goodfellow Repatriation Fellowship

ACHIEVING PAE ORA FOR CHILDREN SURVIVING INJURY: A CALL TO ACTION

2022

AMRF Support of the Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Research Week

Elaijah Tuivaiti and Hemi Young ($1,000 - 6722006)

Kidz First Hospital, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau

Best Oral Presentation Award in Population Health at the 2022 Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Research Week

HOW DO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NEGOTIATE ROLES IN ASTHMA SELF-MANAGEMENT?

2021

Sir Harcourt Caughey Award

Dr Julie Spray ($25,000 - 1721004)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

Asthma affects one in seven New Zealand children, and is a leading cause of hospital admissions. Since the 1990s, New Zealand’s policy approach to managing asthma has been “self-management,” where in theory, adult patients and caregivers receive the tools, training, and guidance to manage their own or their child’s illness. But, self-management approaches were designed with an autonomous and responsible adult in mind, meaning that children’s roles in their own asthma management have been glossed over in guidelines. Yet children must and do play critical roles in their asthma management. Children must learn to recognise their symptoms and decide which of many possible actions to take (notifying adults, self-administering medication, trying alternative techniques). Studies have shown that caregivers are delegating responsibilities for asthma to children from a young age, especially in adverse circumstances where parents are overburdened with work or other caregiving needs. How, then, do families and children negotiate children’s roles and responsibilities for asthma management? Through interviews and child-friendly research activities, this study will investigate how families and children negotiate asthma management, how children would like to participate in their health care, and how clinical approaches and guidelines might better support children’s inclusion.

In March 2022, the AMRF Covid-19 Relief Fund provided an additional $2,467. This was matched by a similar contribution from the University of Auckland’s Covid Hardship Fund.

TWIST 3: VALIDATION OF THE TIME TO WALKING INDEPENDENTLY AFTER STROKE TOOL

2021

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-Up Awards

Dr Marie-Claire Smith ($14,690 - 1721002)

Dept. of Medicine, The University of Auckland

Research support for her Postdoctoral Fellowship

NEW INSIGHTS INTO PRESBYOPIA - DEVELOPING AND VALIDATING A SPIN TEST DEVICE TO MEASURE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN LENS STIFFNESS

2021

Sir Harcourt Caughey Award

Dr Chen (Peter) Qiu ($24,971 - 1722001)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

Our ability to focus on near and far objects, known as accommodation, is a direct result of the biomechanical properties of the lens. However, as we age, the lens becomes stiffer and by middle-age, we lose our ability to accommodate (presbyopia) and require reading glasses to focus on nearby objects. Other researchers have used a system that spins the lens to induce deformation of the lens and together with image processing and computer modelling then extract regional differences in lens stiffness that occur with age. However, how this increase in lens stiffness occurs is still currently unknown. This proposal intends to set up a spin test system in Auckland to allow us to test our hypothesis that the increase in lens stiffness is due to a loss in the ability of the lens to regulate its internal water content. If correct, it may prove possible to pharmacologically modulate lens water transport and reduce lens stiffness, thereby restoring the accommodative ability of the lens and reduce the need for reading glasses.

In March 2022, the AMRF Covid-19 Relief Fund provided an additional $5,130.

NEEDLE-FREE CAPILLARY BLOOD SAMPLING USING JET INJECTION

2021

Summit Postdoctoral Research Presentation Award

Dr James McKeage ($3,000 - 6721003)

Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Research Presentation Award

MULTI-OMICS AND BIOMARKERS TO PERSONALISE RISK PREDICTION AND THERAPY IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES

2021

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-Up Awards

Dr Nikki Earle ($30,000 - 1721003)

Dept. of Medicine, The University of Auckland

Research support for her Postdoctoral Fellowship

DEVELOPMENT OF A PHARMACIST-FACILITATED MEDICINES REVIEW INTERVENTION FOR COMMUNITY-DWELLING MĀORI OLDER ADULTS IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

2021

AMRF Support of the Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Awards

Dr Joanna Hikaka ($500 - 6721002)

School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland

Excellence in Research Award - Best Emerging Researcher at the 2021 Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Awards

MĀORI PERSPECTIVES ON A POTENTIAL LUNG CANCER SCREENING PROGRAMME

2021

AMRF Support of the Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Awards

Dr Karen Bartholemew ($500 - 6721001)

Planning Funding and Outcomes, Waitematā District Health Board; Auckland District Health Board

Excellence in Research Award - Best Senior Researcher at the 2021 Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Awards

PROBING THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF SKIN WITH LASERS, LIGHT SCATTERING AND MOLECULAR IONISATION

2020

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-up Awards

Dr Hannah Holtkamp ($30,000 - 1720012)

Photon Factory, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland

Research support for her Postdoctoral Fellowship

PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAMME: TO DISCOVER POTENTIAL NEW THERAPIES FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

2020

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-up Awards

Dr Peter Freestone ($30,000 – 1720011)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

Research support for his Davis & Carr Senior Research Fellowship

VALIDATING NEUROIMAGING TO DETECT NEUROINFLAMMATION IN VIVO

2020

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Ms Julia Plank ($2,000 - 6720002)

School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland

AMRF Doctoral Oral Presentation Runner up Award

FUNGAL NATURAL PRODUCTS AS A SOURCE OF NOVEL ANTIBIOTICS

2020

Sir Douglas Robb Memorial Fund

Dr Melissa Cadelis ($2,000 - 1720004)

Dept. of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, The University of Auckland

EARLY CHANGES IN FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

2020

Kelliher Charitable Trust - Fellowship Exension

Dr Brigid Ryan ($106,199 – 1720017)

Dept. of Anatomy & Medical Imaging, The University of Auckland

One year extension of her Edith C. Coan Posdoctoral Fellowship

In March 2022, the AMRF Covid-19 Relief Fund provided an additional $13,431. This was matched by a similar contribution from the University of Auckland’s Covid Hardship Fund.

PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL CLINICAL SCHOLARS RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM OF ADVANCED TRAINING IN HEALTH CARE RESEARCH AND METHODS

2020

Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship

Dr Michael Collins ($32,416 - 2720001)

Dept. of Renal Medicine, Auckland District Health Board

Harvard Medical School, USA, June 2020-May 2021

REHABILITATION FOLLOWING FLEXOR POLLICIS LONGUS (FPL) TENDON REPAIR: A PILOT STUDY COMPARING EARLY ACTIVE MOBILISATION (EAM) WITH IMMOBILISATION (IM)

2020

AMRF Support of the Counties Manukau DHB Research Week

Ms Elaine Duguid ($1,000 - 6720004)

Physiotherapy, Tamaki Hands, Counties Manukau District Health Board

Best Overall Student/Emerging Researcher Award at the 2020 Counties Manukau DHB Research Week

SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND PLACENTAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION SATELLITE MEETING

2020

Sir Douglas Robb Memorial Fund

Dr Joanna James ($1,072 - 1720002)

Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland

HEART RATE SENSITIVITY EVALUATION OF A 3D AMPLIFIED-MRI METHOD TO REVEAL SUBTLE BRAIN BIOMECHANICS AND PATHOLOGIES

2020

Sir Douglas Robb Memorial Fund

Dr Eryn Kwon ($1,875 - 1720003)

Dept. of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, The University of Auckland

BLINKING, CLINICAL MARKERS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE DISEASE, AND SCREEN USE HABITS OF YOUNG ATTENDEES OF A GAMING CONVENTION IN AUCKLAND, NZ

2020

Summit Postdoctoral Research Presentation Award

Dr Alex Muntz ($3,000 - 6720005)

Dept. of Ophthalmology, The University of Auckalnd

AMRF Best Research Presentation Award

Funded by: Wellington Sisters Charitable Trust

UNDERSTANDING OBESITY'S HARMFUL EFFECTS ON TENDON HEALING IN A RAT ROTATOR CUFF TEAR MODEL

2020

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Dr Scott Bolam ($3,000 - 6720001)

Liggins Institute, University of Auckland

AMRF Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award

Funded by: Wellington Sisters Charitable Trust

TONABERSAT IS NEUROPROTECTIVE AFTER HYPOXIA-ISCHAEMIA IN NEONATAL RATS

2020

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Miss Alice McDouall ($2,000 - 6720003)

School of Medical Science, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Poster Presentation Award

THE REAL COSTS OF SWALLOWING COMPLAINTS IN A PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

2019

AMRF Support of the Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Awards

Dr Jacqueline Allen ($500 - 67919005)

Otolaryngology, North Shore Hospital, Waitematā District Health Board

Best Oral Presentation (Research) Award at the 2019 Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Award

ECHO ZONE ROTORUA

2019

Sir Harcourt Caughey Awards

Professor Frank Bloomfield ($13,983 - 1719004)

Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland

One of the most comprehensive health challenges facing New Zealand is childhood overweight. The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, together with Uppsala University is about to implement a new strategy to prevent childhood obesity called the ECHO zone - after the World Health Organisation report "Ending ChildHood Obesity" in which NZ played a leading role. In ECHO zones changes in society are made so that the children's immediate environment is adapted to make healthy choices. This requires long-term involvement of several stakeholders implementing the changes together. Through ongoing collection of data on how the children's health is affected by changes in environmental factors around the children, an ECHO zone builds scientific evidence for which societal changes that effectively and permanently reduce the risk of obesity and obesity. Professor Peter Bergsten is a leading exponent of the ECHO zone concept and will work with the Liggins Institute and the local community to develop an ECHO zone in Rotorua.

TO DEVELOP AN AUCKLAND-BASED RESEARCH PROGRAMME IN MRI-GUIDED RADIOTHERAPY PLANNING THROUGH OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE AND COLLABORATION

2019

Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship

Dr Beau Pontre ($44,360 - 1719003)

Dept. of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, The University of Auckland

Radiation therapy is an essential tool in the treatment of cancer. It is used to selectively treat cancer tissues without the need for surgery. Imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a key role in ensuring the radiation accurately and reliably treats cancer while reducing harm to healthy tissues. Aside from the improvements in accuracy, the combination of MRI and radiotherapy opens up possibilities for treatments that weren’t previously feasible, including targeted treatment of the heart. There is a growing interest internationally in research around the technologies behind MRI-guided radiotherapy, but the expertise in New Zealand is limited. The travel proposed for this fellowship will develop important collaborations and research experience with internationally-recognised experts in Europe, and will help to start a larger New Zealand based research programme. This new and exciting programme will build on the expertise of researchers, clinicians, and other radiotherapy experts, leading to important advances in technology. In future, these advances will lead to improved treatment options for those New Zealanders undergoing radiation therapy.

A NOVEL PEPTIDE DELIVERY PLATFORM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUCOSAL VACCINES

2019

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-Up Awards

Dr Jia-Yun (Catherine) Tsai ($30,000 - 1719002)

Dept. of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, The University of Auckland

Research support for her Postdoctoral Fellowship

ULTRASOUND IN ASYMPTOMATIC HYPERURICEMIA

2019

Kelliher Charitable Trust Emerging Researcher Start-Up Awards

Dr Sarah Stewart ($30,000 - 1719001)

Dept. of Medicine, The University of Auckland

Research support for her Postdoctoral Fellowship

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS FROM THE PERIOPRATIVE DIRECTORATE

2019

AMRF Support of the Auckland DHB Research Poster Week

Dr Douglas Campbell ($1,000 - 6719007)

Dept. of Anaesthesia, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland District Health Board

AMRF Best Directorate Award at the 2019 Auckland DHB Research Poster Week

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MATERNAL DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AND CHILD TELOMERE LENGTH: EVIDENCE FROM GROWING UP IN NEW ZEALAND

2019

Summit Postdoctoral Research Presentation Award

Dr Marie-Claire Smith ($3,000 - 6719001)

Centre for Longitudinal Research, The University of Auckland

To attend a conference to present her research.

EFFECTS OF ARTIFICAL SWEETENERS IN THE MATERNAL DIET ON OFFSPRING HEALTH

2019

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Miss Pania Bridge-Comer ($3,000 - 6719002)

Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland

AMRF Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award

Funded by: Wellington Sisters Charitable Trust

THE GROUP A STREPTOCOCCUS ANTIGEN SPNA, COMBINED WITH BEAD-BASED IMMUNOASSAY TECHNOLOGY, IMPROVES STREPTOCOCCAL SEROLOGY

2019

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Miss Alana Whitcombe ($2,000 - 6719003)

Dept. of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Doctoral Oral Presentation Runner Up

Funded by: Wellington Sisters Charitable Trust

THE ROLE OF HYALURONAN IN DEVELOPING HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS

2019

Healthex Emerging Researcher Awards

Miss Molly Abraham ($2,000 - 6719004)

Dept. of Physiology, The University of Auckland

AMRF Best Poster Presentation Award

WDHB SKIN SERVICE: GP SURGEON SCHEME (GPSI), AN EFFECTIVE MODEL OF CARE

2019

AMRF Support of the Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Awards

Mr Daniel Wen ($500 - 6719006)

School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland

Emerging Researcher Award at the 2019 Waitematā DHB Health Excellence Award

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