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'I'm curious about a cure for my tinnitus' "I cried for six months when I found out." ​ Tessa Law was inconsolable for six months after she was diagnosed with tinnitus. Even now, four years later, she refuses to believe it is irreversible; she won’t give up hope for a cure. ​ Also known as ringing in the ears or head, tinnitus is a highly prevalent condition afflicting seven per cent of New Zealanders – approximately 345,000 people. ​ “I literally woke up and it was really loud. It started to dawn on me this was tinnitus and chronic,” the Aucklander says. “I thought I would not be able to have a normal life. It was totally consuming. I felt like I couldn’t breathe or think. All I wanted was to get away from that noise in my head.” ​ Tessa’s tinnitus is a perpetual cacophony of screaming – primarily it sounds like cicadas with screeching train brakes, and occasionally a tea kettle whistle on top. ​ Associate Professor Grant Searchfield has been researching tinnitus for several decades, and is renowned around the world. ​ He credits much of his research success to funding from the Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF), from when he was an emerging researcher. Through the decades AMRF has aided trials of new treatments, laying the foundations for future studies. ​ Grant, the Clinical Director of the University of Auckland’s Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic, collaborated on the creation of the Tinnitus Functional Index, internationally considered the gold standard measure on tinnitus’s effect on quality of life. “Our research has been well received internationally. We really are at the cutting edge in New Zealand,” he says. That gives Tessa hope. “I spent the first few years chasing solutions. I went to London to a tinnitus clinic, then I went to the University of Auckland tinnitus clinic, and that far surpassed the Harley Street one. ​ “I totally believe that if it came on suddenly it can be turned off suddenly too. But research is vital – or nothing changes. I have hope because Grant is one of the best in the world.” ​ Grant says the key to effective treatments is discovering that there are different types of tinnitus. “Now we are able to tailor treatment. Tinnitus can be a barometer for stress. Our brain is developed to use auditory information for our survival, so the brain focusses heavily on that sound and we become more aware of it. ​ “We can train the brain to reverse that automatic focus to not listen into it. An end goal would be to find a cure for the millions worldwide with tinnitus. If my work can contribute to this I’d be very happy.” ​ Here at Auckland Medical Research Foundation, our timeless mission is to ‘fund world-class medical research that provides genuine advances in medical and health science’. We support medical researchers to find cures, help prevent or delay the onset of disease, ease the pain of those with debilitating conditions and provide more effective treatments. To find out about the very latest in medical research, like Dr Searchfield’s, sign up here to receive our communications and newsletters. ​

I'm curious to see if a blood test will predict the success of cancer treatment Could a simple blood test determine if a cancer patient will respond to treatment? That is the quest of Auckland medical researcher, Dr Cherie Blenkiron. Blenkiron was curious to know if analysing blood from a patient diagnosed with malignant melanoma could detect whether they would respond to an immunotherapy treatment prior to it being administered, or if blood tests could help determine whether they're responding to the therapy. The University of Auckland cancer biologist has been given funding from Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) to explore her hypothesis, and believes it could be a game-changer for not only melanoma, but also treating other cancers. “Immunotherapies are expensive. They're expensive to buy the drug, but they're also expensive for the patient in terms of travel, they can also have side effects and there's inconvenience as they have to have repeated three-weekly infusions, in some cases for up to two years,” explains Blenkiron. “We’re trying to develop a blood test to give people the best treatment and best care. We want it cheap, we want it reliable, and we want it to be quick so you can use it more frequently. I think of them as ‘peace of mind tests’. “Immunotherapy is the most incredible revolution in treatment. Around the world, there are trials going on proving that it also works for lots of other cancer types too. It’s been shown to work really well for lung cancer. ​ “We’re measuring an immune protein that’s not specific to the cancer type and we are keeping our fingers crossed its applicable to other cancers.” Ten per cent of all registered cancers each year are melanoma and it's the third most common cancer type diagnosed in New Zealand – over 2,500 people a year. ​ Dr Blenkiron’s project focusses on malignant melanoma, where the cancer has spread away from the primary skin site. Malignant melanoma is rare, but still common, with New Zealand having the highest incidence rates in the world due to UV exposure. Dr Blenkiron and her team, based at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, approach patients who are going to receive immunotherapy to treat their diagnosed malignant melanoma. ​ Malignant melanoma is the only cancer type in New Zealand that has immunotherapies Keytruda and Opdivo funded by Pharmac. These immunotherapies block proteins that the cancer uses as camouflage from a patient’s own attacking and protective immune system. The treatments re-awaken the body's immune system to then attack the cancer. If proven to be successful, the test will not only provide a targeted treatment plan more likely to be successful for the patient, it will also mitigate the wasted cost for patients whose cancer is unlikely to respond to immunotherapy. That money can be diverted to be invested into other treatments, or extended to other cancer types. AMRF, New Zealand’s largest independent research funder, has awarded her $159,937 for the project. Now into the second year, it has been impacted by COVID lockdowns, forcing her to apply for an extension to complete the work. ​ “We've really been impacted in two ways. One of them has been limited lab access. And the other has been the fact that for the past couple of years, recruitment of new patients has been really challenging because of the increased rules around access to hospitals, and patients are moving to telehealth follow up so we haven't been able to go to the clinic to take another blood sample. And some of our team converted into helping out with the Covid testing,” Blenkiron adds. “So an extension is essential. We need another year to be able to really complete the study to a point that we can do more.” ​ AMRF recognised the need for an emergency Covid-19 Relief Fund, to ensure research projects impacted by the pandemic can recover from months of Auckland’s extended lockdowns. ​ The 2020 and 2021 lockdowns caused major disruptions for researchers. More than 70 projects funded by AMRF are now significantly stalled and need additional support to pay salaries to complete their work. ​ Pre-Covid, Blenkiron’s trial was expected to recruit about 50 patients in one year. Immunotherapy is typically given every three weeks for two years – this project involves assessing blood samples taken every three months. ​ “We are still collecting patients who were recruited pre-Covid, they're the ones who are continuing on the treatment, or they have finished the treatment,” Blenkiron says. ​ AMRF previously provided a grant to Blenkiron for research into Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a more rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Australasia has the highest incidence of MCC in the world. ​ “We were able to access a new technology, only available overseas, to analyse some of these new immune proteins. This method, Digital Spatial Profiling, showed us that there are many camouflage proteins present within each patient’s cancer. It also pinpointed possible new targets for trials of up and coming immunotherapies. Together this information could tailor new treatments to improve the lives of people diagnosed with MCC worldwide.” ​ Blenkiron presented the findings at the first international Merkel Cell Carcinoma Symposium, in Florida, just prior to the first lockdown in 2020. ​ “It's at the point where it's being used to leverage new funding. AMRF are really good at giving people seed funding to kickstart projects and support them to grow into something bigger,” she says. ​ Here at Auckland Medical Research Foundation, our timeless mission is to ‘fund world-class medical research that provides genuine advances in medical and health science’. We support medical researchers to find cures, help prevent or delay the onset of disease, ease the pain of those with debilitating conditions and provide more effective treatments. To find out about the very latest in medical research, like Dr Blenkiron’s, sign up here to receive our communications and newsletters. Sign up Tinnitus 2021

Our Medical Committee At the heart of our funding excellence is our Medical Committee; a panel of internationally recognised independent clinicians and scientists who rigorously evaluate all research applications and volunteer their time to achieve this. Professor Browett is a Consultant Haematologist at Auckland City Hospital, Professor of Pathology and Chair of the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland. He is a graduate of the University of Otago Medical School, and after postgraduate training in clinical and laboratory haematology in Auckland, he was a Wellcome – HRC Research Fellow in the Department of Haematology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London. Peter is involved in several co-operative group and institution iniated studies in haematologic malignancies and stem cell transplantation. He also heads a laboratory research group with interests in the genetics of thrombosis and bleeding, molecular markers in leukaemia and the role of PI3 kinase signalling in acute myeloid leukaemia. Peter has been involved with the Auckland Medical Research Foundation for several years, initially serving on the Medical Committee, and more recently as a member of the Board. Professor Peter Browett Chair of the AMRF Medical Committee, BMedSci, MBChB (Otago), FRACP, FRCPA Professor Larry Chamley is Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at the University of Auckland where he heads a research group studying the biology and immunology of reproduction. He is also the Director of the Hub for Extracellular Vesicles (HEVI) at The University of Auckland and is a member of the Council of the International Society for Immunology of Reproduction. He is the Editor of Trophoblast Research, an Associate Editor of Reproduction and Chair of the Publications Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology. Larry has been Co-Deputy Chair of our Medical Committee since 2021 and was appointed to our Board in December 2022. Professor Larry Chamley Co-Deputy Chair of the AMRF Medical Committee, BSc (Waikato) MSc, PhD (Auckland), FSRB Associate Professor Vanessa Selak is a Public Health Physician and Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Auckland. Vanessa has 20 years’ experience working in hospital-based clinical, funding, planning and quality roles. She leads a postgraduate programme in Digital Health and provides postgraduate training in health data analytics and quality improvement. Her research uses routinely collected electronic data to support clinical service improvement, primarily within the field of cardiology. Vanessa was appointed as Co-Deputy Chair of our Medical Committee in December 2022 and we were delighted to have Vanessa join our Board at the same time. Associate Professor Vanessa Selak Co-Deputy Chair of the AMRF Medical Committee, MBChB (Otago), MPH (Auckland), FAFPHM, FNZCPHM, PhD (Auckland) Dr Tim Angeli-Gordon is a Rutherford Discovery Fellow and Senior Research Fellow with the Gastrointestinal (GI) Research Group at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI). He received his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Auckland in 2014, prior to which he completed BSE and MSE degrees in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Tim’s current research focuses on in vivo measurement and monitoring of GI electrophysiology, where he has a specific interest in developing new diagnostic devices and interventional therapeutics for functional gastrointestinal disorders. He particularly enjoys working on translational projects that span the interfaces of engineering, physiology, and clinical medicine. He has also previously worked in the fields of drug delivery and bioartificial organ research and development. Tim is an Associate Investigator with the MedTech national Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), as well as an Affiliated Researcher with the Riddet Institute CoRE. He is also a founding member of the medical technology spin-out company FlexiMap Ltd. Dr Tim Angeli-Gordon BSE, MSE (Michigan), PhD (Auckland) Dr Doug Campbell is a specialist anaesthetist with a subspecialty interest in neuroscience and a neuroanaesthesia. He graduated from University of Southampton in United Kingdom in 1990 and emigrated permanently to New Zealand in 1998. He is director of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine Research at Auckland City Hospital, a member of the Executive of the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Clinical Trial Network, and is currently Senior Clinical Research Fellow for the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand. His research interests include depth of anaesthesia and clinical outcomes (mortality, delirium and cognitive outcomes), surgical epidemiology including risk prediction (NZRISK) and is Principal Investigator of MASTERSTROKE, a RCT looking at induced hypertension and stroke outcomes. He is involved with numerous collaborative trials, but particularly with ANZCA, and the University Departments of Physiology and Neurology. Dr Doug Campbell MBChB (Southampton), FRCA, FANZCA Dr Amy Chan is Associate Professor and Respiratory lead of the Medicines Intelligence group at the School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland. She is a clinical pharmacist by training with over 15 years’ experience working in hospital, where she led one of the clinical pharmacy teams. Amy holds an honorary post with University College London, UK, where she completed her postdoctoral fellowship training. She now leads a research group that explores the intersection between digital technology, big data and respiratory health, with a focus on asthma care and outcomes. She is currently leading the implementation working group for the European Respiratory Society Clinical Research Collaboration CONNECT which focuses on digital respiratory healthcare, and the global lead for workforce transformation with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Amy is also a Minister-appointed councillor for the Pharmacy Council New Zealand, and member of the Respiratory Effectiveness Group, Open Digital Health, PSA Respiratory Taskforce and board of Asthma NZ. She also leads the Academic Careers Advancement Programme which aims to foster PhD students across the University to be the next generation of scientists and academics. Dr Amy Chan BPharm(Hons), PhD (Auckland) Professor Nuala Helsby is a professor in the department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology at the University of Auckland, where Nuala teaches in numerous courses to both basic scientists and students in clinical programs. Following a number of years as a postdoctoral fellow in the UK at the University of Liverpool and the University of Birmingham, Nuala moved to NZ where she initially worked in the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre. Nuala has an ongoing research interest in pharmacogenomics and drug disposition with a particular focus on anticancer drugs and medications for autoimmune diseases. She has served as an executive editor of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. She also has an active role in the Australian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR). With over 30 years of experience in this field Nuala was recently awarded fellowship of the British Pharmacology Society (BPS). Professor Nuala Helsby BSc(Hons) North Staffs, PhD (Liverpool), FBPhS Dr Julie Lim is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland. She received her undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland with her PhD research supported by an AMRF Doctoral Scholarship. She then undertook post-doctoral training in the Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, under the mentorship of Professor Paul Donaldson, where she worked on identifying membrane transporters involved in the uptake of antioxidants in the lens. She was then awarded a Foundation for Research and Science Technology post-doctoral fellowship in 2007, a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research postdoctoral fellowship in 2010 and received the 2010 Zonta Women in Science Award. Julie’s current work focuses on understanding the development of age related eye diseases with a particular focus on the lens and lens cataract. Current projects involve investigating the interplay between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants to determine whether endogenous antioxidant defence systems in the lens can be harnessed to elevate antioxidant levels in the lens and delay cataract formation and AMRF funded work investigating inter-tissue cross talk between the lens and other tissues of the eye to maintain ocular health. Dr Julie Lim BSc, MSc, PhD (Auckland) Dr Raewyn Poulsen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Auckland. Following completion of a PhD in Biochemistry at Massey University, she spent 5 years as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, UK investigating the cellular signaling events involved in musculoskeletal degeneration. After returning to New Zealand, she was awarded a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship to continue her work on identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis. She serves on the editorial board for “Rheumatology” and is a Review Editor for “Frontiers in Pharmacology: Translational Pharmacology”. Dr Raewyn Poulsen BSc (Canterbury), MScHons, PhD (Massey) Dr Hilary Sheppard is a Senior Lecturer in Stem Cell and Developmental Biology in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. She obtained a BSc (Hons) from the University of Bath, UK and a PhD in Molecular Biology at the John Innes Institute, UK. Following post-doctoral studies at the University of California, Riverside, USA and University of Leicester, UK, she moved to NZ to work in industry with Genesis R and D prior to her current academic role. With a background in gene expression and cellular differentiation her current research focus is on using targeted genome engineering technologies (such as CRISPR/Cas9) to enhance cells for use in the clinic by altering the expression of key molecules. This includes immune cells for improved cancer-targeting immunotherapies and, in an AMRF funded project, skin cells to create gene-edited patient-specific skin sheets for people with extreme fragile skin conditions. Dr Hilary Sheppard BSc (Hons) (Bath), PhD (East Anglia) Professor Trevor Sherwin has published over 100 papers in top ranking journals including Nature, Science and Cell and has presented his work at many international venues including a prestigious open lecture at the Natural History Museum, London. Trevor’s research has received 7000 citations with an h-index of 42. Trevor's PhD students have gained high honours including ‘Vice Chancellor’s Prize for best Doctoral Thesis’ and ‘Best PhD thesis from the Medical Faculty'. Trevor’s research team focuses on the use of regenerative medicine in treating eye disorders. Conventional medical practice has aimed at halting the progress of disease within the affected individual, but the patient is often left with some disability due to loss of function caused by the disease process. Regenerative medicine aims not only to halt the progress of the disease but to restore function back to the affected parts of the eye and thus restore sight including: Stem Cell Research – Trevor’s team are using several different types of stem cells, including those obtained from adult eye tissues and cells obtained from umbilical tissue after birth to assess their ability to incorporate into eye tissue and restore functionality. Cell Reprogramming – Trevor’s research is also looking at the ability of essentially turning back the clock on the existing cells from the patient by reprogramming them and restoring functions to the cells that were present during early development. Bioengineering – Researchers within Trevor’s team have developed productive collaborations with materials scientists to develop new biological materials which are capable of mimicking the eye tissues that have deteriorated and thus replace them with bionic implants Corneal Dystrophies – Elucidating the mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of corneal diseases, in particular keratoconus. Professor Trevor Sherwin BSc, PhD (Kent) Dr Moana Tercel is a Senior Research Fellow and Associate Director for Research at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre in the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Auckland. She received her BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Auckland and her PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Cambridge. This was followed by postdoctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, Germany. Moana has over thirty years’ experience in medicinal chemistry and in drug design and discovery. She has a strong interest in DNA alkylating agents and in methods to endow these with tumour-selective properties, such as the formation of hypoxia-activated prodrugs or antibody-drug conjugates. Dr Moana Tercel BSc, MSc (Auckland), PhD (Cambridge) Professor Ashvin Thambyah joined the University of Auckland as a lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering in 2007 and is currently Professor and Head of Department. Before joining the University, he spent 10 years as a research engineer at the National University of Singapore. There he worked closely with orthopaedic surgeons on various aspects of musculoskeletal research and contributed to many clinical projects involving bone and joint disease and pathology. Most of Ashvin’s current research is in the musculoskeletal and biomechanics areas, and to the AMRF committee he hopes to provide expertise on the bioengineering aspects where required. Professor Ashvin Thambyah BS (Milwaukee), MS (London), PhD (Singapore) Gergely Toldi is a senior lecturer in neonatology at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland. He trained in paediatrics and neonatal medicine in Hungary and the UK. His research primarily focuses on early life development of the immune response and understanding the immunological background of complications affecting preterm and term neonates as well as pregnant women. He contributed to developing novel flow cytometry based diagnostic and experimental methods. He currently receives funding from an AMRF Project Grant investigating the role of short chain fatty acids in neonatal immune health and development. In his clinical role, he works as a consultant neonatologist at Starship Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Dr Gergely Toldi MD, PhD (Budapest), FRCPCH, FRACP Dr Srdjan Vlajkovic is an Associate Professor in Physiology at The University of Auckland. He is a Principal Investigator with the Brain Research New Zealand and Eisdell Moore Centre for hearing and balance. His main research interest is in the field of auditory neuroscience. He studies the cellular and molecular basis of inner ear homeostasis in conditions of stress and injury. His recent research focus is on the inner ear therapeutics and methods of drug delivery to the inner ear. He is leading internationally the field of adenosine signalling in the cochlea, and the translational research in this area. Associate Professor Srdjan Vlajkovic MBChB, MSc, PhD (Belgrade)

Our Sponsors The Auckland Medical Research Foundation wishes to express its gratitude to the following companies which make substantial cash or in kind contributions toward the operational expenses of our Foundation, enabling us to keep our pledge of 100% of donations going directly to medical research.

RESEARCHING A CURE FOR TINNITUS Click Here to make a Donation Sign up for the latest news I CRIED FOR SIX MONTHS WHEN I FOUND OUT ​ Tessa Law was inconsolable for six months after she was diagnosed with tinnitus. Even now, four years later, she refuses to believe it is irreversible; she won’t give up hope for a cure. ​ Also known as ringing in the ears or head, tinnitus is a highly prevalent condition afflicting seven per cent of New Zealanders – approximately 345,000 people. ​ “I literally woke up and it was really loud. It started to dawn on me this was tinnitus and chronic,” the Aucklander says. “I thought I would not be able to have a normal life. It was totally consuming. I felt like I couldn’t breathe or think. All I wanted was to get away from that noise in my head.” ​ Tessa’s tinnitus is a perpetual cacophony of screaming – primarily it sounds like cicadas with screeching train brakes, and occasionally a tea kettle whistle on top. ​ Associate Professor Grant Searchfield has been researching tinnitus for several decades, and is renowned around the world. ​ He credits much of his research success to funding from the Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF), from when he was an emerging researcher. Through the decades AMRF has aided trials of new treatments, laying the foundations for future studies. ​ Grant, the Clinical Director of the University of Auckland’s Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic, collaborated on the creation of the Tinnitus Functional Index, internationally considered the gold standard measure on tinnitus’s effect on quality of life. “Our research has been well received internationally. We really are at the cutting edge in New Zealand,” he says. That gives Tessa hope. “I spent the first few years chasing solutions. I went to London to a tinnitus clinic, then I went to the University of Auckland tinnitus clinic, and that far surpassed the Harley Street one. ​ “I totally believe that if it came on suddenly it can be turned off suddenly too. But research is vital – or nothing changes. I have hope because Grant is one of the best in the world.” ​ Grant says the key to effective treatments is discovering that there are different types of tinnitus. “Now we are able to tailor treatment. Tinnitus can be a barometer for stress. Our brain is developed to use auditory information for our survival, so the brain focusses heavily on that sound and we become more aware of it. ​ “We can train the brain to reverse that automatic focus to not listen into it. An end goal would be to find a cure for the millions worldwide with tinnitus. If my work can contribute to this I’d be very happy.” Make a Donation Sign up for the latest news View Grant's Research How you can make a life-changing difference ​ Donations are vital to help the Auckland Medical Research Foundation fund life-changing medical research – and 100% of that donation goes directly into research. ​ AMRF has been supporting medical research for more than 65 years, through the generosity of its donors. This can be a one-off end-of-financial year donation, a regular contribution or a bequest from someone who wants to leave a legacy. ​ “The Foundation exists to improve health outcomes, through supporting medical research. Every single cent, every single dollar goes directly into that research,” Sue Brewster, Executive Director of AMRF, says. “ The demand for funding support has never been greater. We invest in a wide range of research affecting people of all ages, with potential to put New Zealand on the world stage. This includes audiology conditions, neurological issues such as dementia and Parkinsons, cancers, bone health and stroke along with many more conditions. One hundred per cent of all donations to the Auckland Medial Research Foundation go directly to funding across the spectrum of medical research and health. Make a Donation Who is AMRF and what do you do? ​ AMRF was established in 1955, and in its 66 years has invested more than $84 million into a wide range of medical research. An endowment funds all of AMRF’s administration costs, enabling 100% of donations to go directly to medical and health research. AMRF’s key focus is to financially support medical researchers and their projects led out of the greater Auckland region, assist in furthering their international collaborations and gaining invaluable off-shore knowledge along with repatriating medical researchers and scientists back to New Zealand. Sign up Tinnitus 2021 Donate T

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The Privacy Officer will also consider whether any privacy breach is a notifiable breach, therefore requiring notification to the Privacy Commissioner and affected individuals under the Privacy Act 2020. ​ Disclaimer This website is for information only. It is not intended to replace medical or healthcare advice provided by a qualified medical practitioner. Any person requiring medical advice or treatment should seek proper care from an appropriate provider. ​ AMRF aims to ensure that all website information is from reliable and reputable sources and is accurate, and AMRF accept no responsibility for the manner in which this information is subsequently used. ​ AMRF is not responsible for the content or reliability of any external websites that AMRF do not own or manage, that this website links to. AMRF does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them nor guarantee they will be active and function correctly at all times. Listing shall not be taken as endorsement of any kind. ​ The information contained on this website is derived from a number of sources. While AMRF has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all information is from reliable and reputable sources and is accurate, it accepts no liability or responsibility for any acts or omissions, done or omitted in reliance in whole or in part, on the information. Updated 7 September 2021

2024 Applications Applications can be made through the Auckland Medical Research Foundation’s online portal . Apply now Learn more Applications must be received by the AMRF via the portal by 5pm on the closing date. ​ Please note that your host institution may have earlier internal deadlines. In 2024 the AMRF will not be calling for applications for the following grants: Ruth Spencer Medical Research Fellowship and the Douglas Robb Memorial Fund. ​ These dates may be subject to change, as could the types of applications we are able to offer. The AMRF will adhere to government guidelines when considering our response to any situations that may arise due to the pandemic. Please check our website regularly to see if any changes have been implemented. ​ For enquires about submission dates and processes please read the guidelines . If you still have questions, contact AMRF's Research Programme Manager at hannah.gibbons@medicalresearch.org.nz or 09 923 1701. Travel Grants Round 1 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply For travel after 1 March 2024 Guidelines Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship Round 1 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Sir Harcourt Caughey Award Round 1 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Project Grants Round 2 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Jean Cathie Fund for Tinnitus Research - Project Round 2 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Postdoctoral Fellowship Expression of Interest Round 3 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Postdoctoral Fellowship Full Proposal Round 3 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Interviews are scheduled on 17 October 2024, 4.30-8.00pm Decision will be finalised on 22 October 2024. Guidelines Douglas Goodfellow Repatriation Fellowship Round 3a Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Interviews are scheduled on 17 October 2024, 4.30-8.00pm (NZ time) Guidelines Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship Round 4 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Sir Harcourt Caughey Award Round 4 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines Travel Grants Round 4 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply For travel on or after 1 Sep 2024, including Queenstown Research Week Guidelines Doctoral Scholarship Round 5 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Interviews are scheduled on 10 October 2024, 4.30-9.00pm. Decision will be finalised on 22 October 2024. Guidelines J.I. Sutherland Medical Research Fellowship Round 5 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Interviews will be held 10 October 2024, 4.30-9.00pm. Decision will be finalised on 22 October 2024. Guidelines Douglas Goodfellow Medical Research Fellowship Round 5 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Interviews will be held 10 October 2024, 4.30-9.00pm. Decision will be finalised on 22 October 2024. Guidelines Project Grant Round 6 Open Date ​ Close Date ​ Decision Date ​ Apply Guidelines

THE QUEST FOR IMPROVED CANCER TREATMENTS FROM LAB BENCH TO BEDSIDE TO BETTER CARE , AMRF recently hosted a free public lecture about how drugs and treatments reach the cancer patients who need them Learn more about cancer research Sign up for the latest news In New Zealand this year, around 21,000 people will be diagnosed with a serious cancer and around 8,000 of those will die from their disease within five years. Associate Professor Michael Hay and Professor Mark Elwood have data that leads them to believe that those rates could currently be improved by at least 10%, meaning 800 cancer related deaths in NZ could be prevented each year by using further research to optimise the use of the knowledge we have. In the last 40 year period across all cancers, the rates of long term cancer survival over ten years have improved from around one in four to over 50%. This means that twice as many of our children, parents and loved ones will survive their cancer long term. ​ There are multiple causes for this, with significant improvements in screening and detection, treatments and follow up plans all helping to contribute to this considerable increase in positive outcomes. While New Zealand isn’t home to the biggest players in the cancer research field, our small academic laboratories are achieving great things. There are two key areas in which treatment can be improved: firstly in making new discoveries, and secondly in taking the knowledge we already have and using it more effectively. ​ Funding is absolutely vital to these projects; they simply cannot succeed without the finances to support them. The lives of friends and loved ones within New Zealand could one day depend on this research, and the funds we can raise now will have a direct impact on the future success of our Kiwi cancer researchers. ​ It’s not all about big donations either; small adds up to large as each person gives what they can, and every donation becomes a vital part of the glue that holds this research together. ​ This is why we ask you for your support. How much you can give doesn’t matter, but the gifts mean everything – not only to us but to cancer sufferers throughout New Zealand and beyond, both now and in the future. Enjoy video from this event: Make A Donation Who is AMRF and what do you do? ​ AMRF was established in 1955, and in its 66 years has invested more than $84 million into a wide range of medical research. An endowment funds all of AMRF’s administration costs, enabling 100% of donations to go directly to medical and health research. AMRF’s key focus is to financially support medical researchers and their projects led out of the greater Auckland region, assist in furthering their international collaborations and gaining invaluable off-shore knowledge along with repatriating medical researchers and scientists back to New Zealand.

Remembrance A donation in remembrance of a loved one is a special and impactful way to honour their memory. Our donors can choose to donate in their loved one’s name, to help make a difference in the lives of others. If you would like to make a donation in memory of a friend or loved one and would like to learn more or speak to us about this process, feel free to contact us directly. All donations over $5 are tax deductible Donate now, securely online Make your donation annual, monthly or a set amount over time – contact us for more info Consider Payroll Giving through your employer Donate part or all of your New Zealand superannuation “I have strongly supported the Foundation since day one in 1955. I make a point of making a remembrance donation when a close friend, relative or colleague dies instead of a floral tribute.” - DR R G LAWRENCE MBCHB FRACP MNZM Our Mission Our Goal, Vision & Commitment Our Team See Who We Are Stories Read the Latest Stories and News

Our History The Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) was founded in 1955 to provide financial support for medical research. In the 1950’s research was primarily funded by Government agencies such as the Medical Research Council of New Zealand, with the majority of its funding going to researchers at Otago Medical School. A group of prominent Auckland medical specialists and businessmen saw the need to establish an Auckland based foundation in order to provide funding for local scientists and to foster the development of the Auckland Medical Research community. 77 foundation members each donated £50 to start a capital fund, and then started a drive for life members, annual members and donors to sustain the Foundation. An endowment was set up in perpetuity for administration costs, enabling 100% of donations to go directly to research, which has become a major influencing factor for donors to support AMRF. The Foundation recognised the vital need for scientific work being undertaken alongside the heart of the medical community so it took a leading role in the establishment of a Medical School in the University of Auckland. This philosophy has underpinned the Foundation’s existence and to mark its 50th anniversary it played a major part in the opening of the AMRF Medical Sciences Learning Centre that houses two “museum” collections of anatomy and pathology. These have been of immediate and continuing benefit to the wide variety of students on the medical school campus, including medical, nursing, dental and health science students. Anchor 1