Drs Michelle Thunders & Jeremy Owen join Research For Life’s Research Advisory Committee

Drs Michelle Thunders and Jeremy Owen have been appointed to Research For Life’s Research Advisory Committee. The Research Advisory Committee evaluates applications for funding in terms of their scientific merit, methodology, likely outcomes and outputs.

They replace Prof Brett Delahunt, Professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, and Dr David Ackerley, Professor of Biotechnology at Victoria University’s School of Biological Sciences. Dr Ackerley has been a member of the Research Advisory Committee for the past 10 years and Prof Delahunt joined the Committee in 1991 and lead the Committee as its Chair from 1997 to late 2017.

Dr Michelle Thunders is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Otago, Wellington, and has a PhD in Human Genetics from University College, London where she completed a BSc (Hons) in Human Genetics. Prior to her current role, she was Senior Lecturer Health and Life Sciences with the School of Public Health, College of Health, Massey University. Michelle has over 12 years’ research experience.

Dr Jeremy Owen is a Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at Victoria University’s School of Biological Sciences. A graduate of VUW, he has a PhD in Biotechnology, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBmedSci) with Honours (1^st Class) and a BBmedSci majoring in Human Genetics. Prior to joining VUW’s School of Biological Sciences, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, at The Rockefeller University, New York.

The committee’s other members are Dr Rebecca Grainger (Chair), Dr Peter Bethwaite, Professor Anne La Flamme, Associate Professor Peter Larsen, Professor John H Miller and Dr Robert Weinkove.

Dr Rebecca Grainger, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee, said: “Jeremy and Michelle are highly respected medical researchers and we welcome their appointment to the Research Advisory Committee.

“Jeremy brings specialist knowledge in genomics and microbiology with a broad base in Biomedical science. Jeremy’s skills and talent have been recognised by grants including a Royal Society of New Zealand Fast start grant in 2015 and he was a Rutherford Discovery Fellow in 2016. 

“Michelle’s expertise in genomics and bioinformatics will be invaluable as the RAC sees an increasing number of grants for exciting biomedical research in this area.  

“Brett Delahunt and David Ackerley have both had a long association with the Research Advisory Committee, providing expert advice in the review of grant applications. The Research Advisory Committee will miss their input and we wish them well.”

Established in 1960, the Foundation funds innovative quality research undertaken by researchers in the early stages of their careers.

Last year, Research for Life made 12 research grants and nine travel grants worth $173,609. Recent projects funded included research into the basic understanding of cancer, kidney disease and conditions of particular concern in the Wellington region, such as asthma.

Grants have been made to researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington - School of Medicine and Health Science; the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research; Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Biological Sciences; Massey University, Wellington; and ESR (The Institute of Environmental Science and Research).

ENDS

About Research For Life

Research For Life is the public face of the Wellington Medical Research Foundation.

Our Mission
Supporting innovative quality research with a focus on funding those researchers in the early stages of their careers, who – through their work – will advance the quality of healthcare in the Wellington region and beyond.

Role of the Foundation
Research For Life (Wellington Medical Research Foundation) is dedicated to supporting and encouraging young, talented people to engage in medical and biomedical research.

The Foundation considers appropriate applications from all individuals and research groups in the Wellington region. We currently lend our support, in particular, to the University of Otago, Wellington - School of Medicine and Health Science, Victoria University of Wellington and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research.

The need for medical research
Major discoveries in medicine have been made and continue to be made through fundamental and applied research. By funding such research, we aim to be at the forefront of medical knowledge and technical ability.

Achievements of the Foundation
The Foundation has funded work in many areas, including research into the basic understanding of cancer, kidney disease and conditions of particular concern in the Wellington region, such as asthma.

The Wellington Medical Research Foundation is a registered charity, registration number: CC10659