Professors Geoffrey Donnan and Stephen Davis awarded Cadiovascular Research Translation Award

Australia’s world-class cardiovascular and stroke researchers were honoured at the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACvA) Excellence in Cardiovascular Research Awards. The Awards were officiated by the Honourable Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.

Professor Geoffrey Donnan and Professor Stephen Davis from the Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Australia’s world-class cardiovascular and stroke researchers were honoured at the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACvA) Excellence in Cardiovascular Research Awards. The Awards were officiated by the Honourable Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including heart, stroke and vascular diseases, are the leading cause of deaths globally. In Australia, one in five deaths is from CVD. Research excellence and impact are vital in the fight against CVD and the ACvA Excellence in Cardiovascular Research Awards were set up to celebrate and highlight the leadership, collaboration and innovation taking place within the sector. The Awards showcase the depth and diversity across the cardiovascular research spectrum.

The ACvA Translation award recognises the outstanding achievements of researchers who have translated observations from the laboratory or unmet needs seen in the clinic into interventions that have real-life impact for patients.

The winners of the 2022 Translation Award are Professors Geoffrey Donnan and Stephen Davis from the Australian Stroke Alliance. Professors Donnan and Davis are internationally renowned stroke neurologists whose mission is to reduce the catastrophic effects of stroke by providing fast accurate diagnosis ideally within the first ‘golden hour’. An Australian experiences a stroke every 19 minutes. Through their collaborative leadership, their multi-disciplinary and cross-sector team are developing lightweight portable brain imaging technology that brings the hospital to the patient by road and air, enabling expert stroke care across the vast distances of Australia.

The awards ceremony took place in Sydney on 23 February, and, in their absence, the award was accepted by Professor Chris Levi.