Cardiovascular Research

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia accounting for 30% of all deaths with an estimated 22% of Australian experiencing cardiovascular disease at some point in their life.  (Source - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

The cardiovascular group at HMRI researches the causes, treatments and management of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular health amongst Australians of all ages to improve the health outcomes of the single largest cause of disease burden in our Country. 

Cardiovascular disease is a term that encompasses heart disease and conditions of the blood vessels. Led by three diverse and talented researchers, Professor Dirk Van Helden, Professor Andrew Boyle and Professor Ron Plotnikoff, researchers in the HMRI cardiovascular research group are successfully researching various aspects of cardiovascular health and managing numerous clinical trials and community interventions.

In conjunction with the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition and the Hunter New England Local Health District, researchers in the HMRI cardiovascular research group study a range of research focuses aimed at improving cardiovascular health. From the structure of the heart, the effect of the diet and exercise on the risk for cardiovascular disease, through to clinical interventions and stem cell therapy for damaged heart muscle, the HMRI cardiovascular group is uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes for community by combining basic laboratory researchers with clinical cardiologists and nutritionists alike.

Within the HMRI cardiovascular program, Hunter researchers are working to understand a number of aspects of cardiovascular health including:

Research Program :
  • Cardiovascular
Research Topics :
Heart Physiology
Dr Nattai Borges
Research Program :
  • Cardiovascular
Research Topics :
Healthy Lifestyles, Preventing Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke and Brain Injury
Research Program :
  • Cardiovascular
Research Topics :
Clinical Cardiovascular
Manohar Garg
Research Program :
  • Cardiovascular
Research Topics :
Healthy Lifestyles, Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Dr Jenna Hollis
Research Program :
  • Cardiovascular
  • Public Health
Research Topics :
Effective Health Services, Healthy Lifestyles, Pregnancy & Babies, Preventing Cardiovascular Disease, Women's Health
Research Program :
  • Cardiovascular
Research Topics :
Heart Physiology

2019

How intracardiac blood flow patterns determine the development of preterm heart
Project Grant
Description:

The heart is a complex structure designed to help pump blood efficiently around the body. While much is known about how the heart contracts and changes shape, limited attention has been paid to the properties of the blood flowing inside the cardiac chambers.

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2018

The feasibility and preliminary efficacy of referral to exercise physiologists, psychologists, and supplementary physical behaviour change strategies for school teachers 'at risk' for Type 2 Diabetes
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Ronald Plotnikoff, Wendy Brown, Kerry Courneya, Ronald Sigal, Associate Professor Erica James, Professor David Lubans, Kristen Cohen

Description:

People who are 'at risk' of type 2 diabetes, or have pre diabetes, or have type 2 diabetes comprise a significant proportion of the Australian population and this health issue in increasing at a very significant rate.

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2017

ISEI Conference Travel Award
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Rebecca Haslam

Description:

To be used as a conference travel award for a late-stage PhD student or and Early Career Researcher, researching in the fields of physical activity or exercise science.

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SHED-IT Recharge: Development and evaluation of a gender-tailored program designed to improve men's physical and mental health
Project Grant
Description:

Phase I of this study will investigate feasibility and efficacy of a self-help, gender-tailored weight loss program for male workers with or without the provision of additional program components targeting stress and mental health  (SHED-IT only vs. SHED-IT plus SHED-IT: Recharge).

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Nutrition and Dietetics Research
Project Grant
Researchers:

Prof Clare Collins, Dr Lee Ashton

Description:

This project will undertake preliminary work to inform future grants and development of a personalised web-platform that supports pregnant women to optimise their dietary intakes. If a woman’s diet is compromised in pregnancy, evidence from the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis indicates the foetus is programmed for a greater lifetime risk of chronic disease. Currently pregnant women are not routinely given advice on how to eat optimally as a way to give infants the best start to life. It is left to chance or the woman seeking information herself. This is a missed opportunity. 

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Award for Research Excellence - Clare Collins
HMRI Award for Research Excellence
Award for Mid Career Research - David Lubans
HMRI Award for Mid Career Research
Researchers:
Resveratrol – a cause or cure for migraine? A pilot study in premenopausal women.
Project Grant
Researchers:

Prof Peter Howe, Dr Rachel Wong, Prof Lyn Griffiths

Description:

Migraines are headaches so severe that the World Health Organisation regards them as a form of temporary disability. A throbbing, often unilateral headache lasts from several hours to days and may be accompanied by nausea or a combination of photophobia and phonophobia. In ~20% of cases it is preceded by an aura. Estimated to afflict 15% of Australians, migraines vary considerably in characteristics but are identifiable by internationally classified criteria. The causes of migraine are thought to include both cerebrovascular and neuronal mechanisms to which individuals are genetically or hormonally predisposed. Women are 2-3 times as susceptible as men, particularly during menstruation and perimenopausally, when migraine without aura may result from sudden changes in circulating estrogen, other hormones or prostaglandins. Hormone replacement therapy or phytoestrogen supplementation may help in some cases, although the evidence is weak and mechanisms are unclear. 

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Feasibility and acceptability of a personalised healthy diet versus a ketogenic diet in reducing migraine frequency and severity
Project Grant
Researchers:

Prof Clare Collins, Neil Spratt, Rebecca Williams, Megan Rollo

Description:

Migraine is common with 1 in 5 Australian women and 1 in 10 men regularly experiencing migraine at same stage in their lifetime. Migraines can start in childhood or adolescence but have a peak prevalence around the age of 35 to 45 years. It can be severely debilitating, often requiring time off school and work, and adversely impacting on daily activities and quality of life.

Currently, despite individuals commonly reporting dietary triggers for migraine (e.g. cheese, chocolate, alcohol or other specific foods), no dietary advice is given to those with migraine as part of usual treatment. Our review of research evidence suggests specific nutritional approaches could help manage headaches and indicates this warrants careful evaluation in a randomised controlled trial. 

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Prevention of type-1 diabetes induced neurocognitive deficits by modulating the plasticity of cerebrovascular function: a pilot
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Rachel Wong, Dr Ryu Takechi, Prof Peter Howe, Dr Matthew Albrecht

Description:

Owing to better therapies, patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are living longer and are now a unique population that has been little studied. Differing from type 2 diabetes (T2D), the onset of T1D is usually juvenile, but it is increasingly diagnosed in adulthood, requiring immediate insulin therapy. Regardless, T1D and T2D share a common sequelae of blood vessel damage and accelerated cognitive decline. Even children and adolescents with T1D display early declines in executive function and short-term working memory and impaired growth and plasticity of brain tissues, thereby compromising learning in school.

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Novel risk markers to improve risk profiling for diabetic foot complications
Project Grant
Researchers:

A/Prof Vivienne Chuter, Dr Peta Tehan, Dr Martin Spink, Dr Fiona Hawke

Description:

Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation and is associated with a life-time incidence of foot ulcer of up to 25%. In Australia approximately 56 000 people are affected by diabetic foot ulcers every year. Foot ulcer development precedes amputation in 85% of all lower limb amputation cases and amputation itself is associated with a 50%, five year mortality rate. Seventy Australians undergo a diabetes-related lower limb or foot amputation every week. Recent estimates suggest that diabetic foot ulcers and amputations cost the Australian healthcare system over $600 million annually.

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Left atrium volume and deformation in preterm infants
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

The left atrium (LA) is one of the four chambers of the heart. Its primary roles are to act as a holding chamber for blood returning from the lungs and to act as a pump to transport blood to the left ventricle of the heart, after which the blood flows to the body.

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EMCR MRSP Equipment: Physical Activity monitoring equipment
Equipment Grant
Researchers:

Dr Narelle Eather, Dr Jordan Smith, Dr Nick Riley, Dr Drew Miller

Description:

15 x ActiGraphTM GT9X Bluetooth enabled Link accelerometers - research grade monitors used for assessing free-living physical activity.

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Gene Pulser Xcell Total System
Equipment Grant
Researchers:
Description:

The Gene Pulser Xcell system is a modular electroporation system for transfecting every cell type.

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Global SYMPLICITY Registry
Project Grant
Researchers:
Embedding the DADEE Program in local communities: Sustainability through innovative partnerships
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

This three year phase of the Dads and Daughter Exercising and Empowered (DADEE) project aims to transition the DADEE program to a sustainable model embedded in the Newcastle community, capitalising on the achievements of the initial 2014-2016 grant period. 

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2016

The effects of dexmedetomidine on the cardiorespiratory responses to severe hypoxaemia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee

Description:

Dexmedetomidine is an intravenous sedative drug with increasing clinical use anaesthesia and intensive care. The drug acts within the central nervous system (CNS) and has potential adverse effects on the control of breathing and the circulation.

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eHealth research project measuring the impact of web-based feedback on dietary intake in improving eating patterns and health
Project Grant
Description:

This grant will support our eHealth research project measuring the impact of web-based feedback on dietary intake in improving eating patterns and health.

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Evaluation of a type 2 diabetes risk reduction program for women with recent gestational diabetes
Project Grant
Description:

Pregnancy is like a stress test, revealing a woman's long term risk to developing Type II Diabetes. Post delivery is the ideal time to address lifestyle risk factors but many women with gestational diabetes report a lack of support at this crucial time.

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Healthy Dads, Healthy Youngsters. A healthy-lifestyle: program for fathers and their young children
Project Grant
Researchers:
Description:

Fathers have a unique and key role in shaping their children's dietary and physical activity behaviors and emerging evidence suggests suboptimal physical activity and dietary behaviours of fathers may be passed on to their children at a very young age.

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Greaves Family Early Career Support Grant
Scholarship
Researchers:

Dr Kirrilly Pursey

Description:

Kirrilly is an Accredited Practising Dietician, and was recently awarded her PhD investigating whether food addiction exists in young Australian adults.

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Greaves Family Early Career Support Grant
Scholarship
Researchers:
Description:

Following a cardiovascular event (e.g. heart attack) the heart undergoes significant physical changes, including an increase in scar tissue, changes in morphology and decreased functional capacity (heart remodelling).

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Future' Postgraduate Medical Research Scholarship
Scholarship
Researchers:

Jessica Ferguson

Description:

This scholarship will support Jessica’s PhD, titled “Optimising lipid-lowering ability of dietary phytosterols for reducing cardiovascular disease risk”.

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A prospective systematic examination of radial artery occlusion, injury and complication post cardiac catheterisation: A nursing led review of procedural complications
Project Grant
Researchers:

Trent Williams

Description:

Cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are commonly performed procedures to investigate and manage cardiac disease.

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Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE)
Project Grant
Description:

Engaging dads and daughters to increase physical activity and social and emotional well-being in pre-adolescent girls: The DADEE (Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered) program

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2015

Award for Mid Career Research - Phil Morgan
HMRI Award for Mid Career Research
Greaves Family Early Career Support Grants
Project Grant
Description:

The Greaves Family Early Career Support grant will enure Myles Young can extend his research with the SHED-IT weight loss program to  achieve his goal of becoming an independent and internationally reputable early career researcher in the Hunter Region.

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The effects of dopamine and droperidol on the cardiorespiratory responses to severe hypoxaemia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee
 

Description:

Dopamine and droperidol are drugs used in modern anaesthetic practice. Both drugs are known to modulate carotid body function via an action on dopamine type-2 receptors. 

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Improving the accuracy of lower limb vascular assessment in people with diabetes
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Vivienne Chuter, Ms Peta Craike
 

Description:

Diabetes is associated with significant risk of disease of both the large and small blood vessels.

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IMCAS World Congress 2016 - 18th Edition - January 28th to 31th, Paris
Travel Grant
Researchers:

Ms Kristine Pezdirc

Description:

Funding to  IMCAS is devoted to education in the field of cosmetic dermatology, cosmetic surgery and cosmeceuticals.

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Emlyn and Jennie Thomas Medical Research Postgraduate Scholarship
Scholarship
Researchers:

Ms Lisa Spencer, Professor Clare Collins, Dr Megan Rollo, Dr Melinda Hutchesson

Description:

The aim of my PhD is to investigate effective and innovative approaches to managing weight during pregnancy and following childbirth.

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The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee

Description:

Many commonly used anaesthetic drugs alter respiratory and cardiovascular control mechanisms, interfering with the life-preserving homeostatic reflexes.

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2014

Helping pregnant women achieve a healthy lifestyle and good outcome for themselves and their baby in terms of health and well-being
Scholarship
Researchers:
Description:

This project will translate a successful pilot intervention for weight management in pregnancy and post-partum undertaken at the John Hunter Hospital antenatal clinics, the ‘Bouncing Back to a Pre-Baby Body’ (BBB) program, into an online program.

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To investigate the role of the suPAR/Beta 3 Integrin Pathway of Podocyte Injury in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy
Project Grant
Researchers:

Conjoint Associate Professor Alastair Gillies, Zaw Thet 

Description:

40% of all type 2 diabetics will develop diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is the leading cause of end stage kidney failure in Australia and around the world.

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Can young men (aged 18-25 years) change their lifestyle? A novel way to improve health.
Scholarship
Researchers:

Mr Lee Ashton, Professor Clare Collins

Description:

Despite young men having a high prevalence of health risk behaviours, they generally do not participate in health promotion programs and there are limited programs specifically designed to cater for the needs and preferences of this group.

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Saturated fats may promote cardiovascular health
Project Grant
The HEY MAN pilot study: using eHealth to Enhance Your Mental health, Physical Activity and Nutrition in young men.
Project Grant
Description:

Consistent evidence confirms that excessive stress can adversely affect physical and mental health.

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Development and evaluation of an eHealth weight loss intervention for young overweight women
Scholarship
Researchers:

Kristine Pezdirc, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Melinda Neve

Description:

Young women are vulnerable to weight gain, which places them at risk of weight related co-morbidities, such as depression, infertility and Type 2 Diabetes. 

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2013

The effects of sevoflurane on the cardiorespiratory responses to severe hypoxaemia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Anthony Quail 

Description:

"When animals and humans experience low levels of oxygen, there are several reflex responses that occur called cardiorespiratory responses, which help to reduce the effect of low oxygen (hypoxia) on the body.

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Using focus groups to understand young adult males motivators and barriers to participating in a Healthy Lifestyle Program
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Clare Collins, Melinda Hutchinson, Megan Rollo, Philip Morgan 

Back to Basics
Project Grant
Researchers:
Post-prandial effects of almond lipids on cardiovascular disease risk (Cardiovascular Program Bridge Funding)
Fellowship
Researchers:

Dr Brendan Plunkett, Manohar Garg, Peter Howe 

Effects of two different diets on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarker responses to exercise in overweight men and women
Project Grant
Description:

Comparing the body’s response to diet and exercise in overweight men and women

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Long-term follow up of the PULSE Type 2 Diabetes prevention program for men
Project Grant
Description:

Type 2 Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia.

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The Effectiveness of Feasible Physical Activity Population-based Approaches for Inactive Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study Assessing Tailored and Preference Modes of Delivery.
Project Grant
Description:

Finding the right approach to help patients with type 2 Diabetes become active

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Investigating the basis for diabetes-associated gastric motility disorders
Project Grant
Description:

Digestive disorders remain a major health burden.

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Development and evaluation of an eHealth weight loss intervention for young overweight women
Scholarship
Researchers:

Kristine Pezdirc,Professor Clare Collins, Dr Melinda Neve 

Description:

Young women are vulnerable to weight gain, which places them at risk of weight related co-morbidities, such as depression, infertility and Type 2 Diabetes. 

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The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee 

Description:

Many commonly used anaesthetic drugs alter respiratory and cardiovascular control mechanisms, interfering with the life-preserving homeostatic reflexes. 

more

2012

HMRI Early Career Travel Award 2012
Project Grant
Researchers:
Barker PhD Scholarship
Scholarship
Researchers:
Barker PhD Scholarship
Scholarship
Researchers:
The effects of sevoflurane on the cardiorespiratory responses to severe hypoxaemia in the rabbit
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Anthony Quail
 

Evaluation of a workplace-based weight-loss program for men: The POWER (Preventing Obesity Without Eating like a Rabbit) trial at Tomago
Project Grant
Reducing mid-aged men’s risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Project Grant
Development and evaluation of an eHealth weight loss intervention for young overweight women
Scholarship
Researchers:

 Kristine Pezdirc, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Melinda Neve

The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia in the Rabbit
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee

2011

First Aid for Cytotoxic Snakebite
Project Grant
Engaging men to maintain weight loss using innovative and cost-effective interventions: The SHED-IT weight loss maintenance pilot study
Project Grant
PULSE Education Prize
Project Grant
Researchers:
Feasibility and efficacy of a diet and exercise prevention program for men at high risk of Type 2 Diabetes - Lions District 2013 N3 Diabetes Foundation Diabetes Project Grant
Project Grant
Evaluation of a workplace-based weight-loss program for men: The POWER (Preventing Obesity Without Eating like a Rabbit) trial at Tomago
Project Grant
Dietary fructose restriction improves plasma lipids, satiety hormones and inflammation in obesity
Project Grant
Researchers:
The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia in the Rabbit
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee

2010

How chronic psychological distress leads to premature aging
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Eugene Nalivaiko, Lisa Lincz

How do high protein and/or high fat meals affect postprandial glycaemic control in children and adolescents using intensive insulin therapy?
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Clare Collins, Carmel Smart, Bruce King, Patrick McElduff 

Evaluation of a workplace-based weight-loss program for men: The POWER (Preventing Obesity Without Eating like a Rabbit) trial at Tomago
Project Grant
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: An exercise intervention for the treatment of youth depression
Project Grant
Description:

There has been considerable research into the use of exercise for the treatment of depression in adults, however the majority of research in adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) over the past decade has focused on the efficacy of medications and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), with these methods only achieving rates of remission of 30% to 40% and high rates of relapse among those responding positively (Kennard et al., 2006).  

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Double-blind Placebo Controlled Trial on Direct Endomyocardial Injection of Autologous bone Marrow Cells for Enhancement of Neovascularization in Patients with Ischaemic Heart Failure
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Suku Thambar 

The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail, Associate Professor David Cottee 

2009

Award for Early Career Research - Phil Morgan
HMRI Award for Early Career Research
Evaluation of a workplace-based weight-loss program for men: The POWER (Preventing Obesity Without Eating like a Rabbit) trial at Tomago
Project Grant
Validation of energy intake and expenditure in young children using Food Frequency Questionnaires, doubly-labelled water and accelerometers
Project Grant
Researchers:
Development of the SHED-IT weight loss programs for men
Project Grant
Does the HIKCUPS weight management program for overweight children work in the parents' workplace or in after school care settings - PhD topup scholarship
Scholarship
The Contribution of Nutrition to Achieving Healthy Pregnancy outcomes for mothers and babies - PhD Scholarship Yr 1/ PhD topup Y2 and Yr 3
Scholarship
Researchers:

Associate Professor Clare Collins, Michelle Blumfield
 

Evaluation of the Hunter Healthy Business Program
Project Grant
The Effects of Midazolam on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Control Mechanisms During Severe Arterial Hypoxia
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Anthony Quail,  Associate Professor David Cottee

2008

Evaluation of the benefits of a school garden
Project Grant

2006

Mechanisms of action of 2-3 fatty acids in control of aterial arrhythmias
Project Grant
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for sustainable weight loss
Project Grant
Validating tools to assess children's' food intake to develop healthy eating programs
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Clare Collins, Dr J Warren
 

2005

Heart Lung Guild - General Donation
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Peter Fletcher
 

Finometer (contribution)
Equipment Grant
Researchers:

Dr Peter Fletcher
 

Tyrosine Repletion Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa
Project Grant
Researchers:

Prof Kenneth Nunn, Mel Hart, Lauren Williams
 

2004

Heart Lung Guild
Project Grant
Researchers:

Professor Peter Fletcher
 

Anaemia mini-nutritional assessment pilot survey in conjunction with assessment of symptoms
Project Grant
Researchers:

Ms Adrianne Milward

Award for Research Excellence - Dirk van Helden
HMRI Award for Research Excellence

2003

Unplanned Hospital Readmission
Project Grant
Researchers:

Associate Professor Jon Silberberg, Ben Ewald

Research into Cardiac Surgery and Value Replacement
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr David Cottee, Associate Professor Saxon White, Dr Tony Quail

Diet, Nutrition and lifestyle factors in the development and treatment of overweight and obesity in children
Project Grant
Researchers:
Intra Myocardial Injection of autologous Bone Marrow cells in patients with end stage ischaemic heart disease
Project Grant
Researchers:

Dr Suku Thambar, Dr Gregory Bellamy

High Versus Low Dos nutrition to reduce malnutrition prevalence and length of stay in fractured neck of femur patients
Project Grant
Mechanisms of Action of Omega 3 Fatty Acids in reduction of Hypertension
Project Grant

2002

Acting on overweight and obesity in Hunter children
Project Grant
The role of nutrition in improving outcomes for people with fractures
Project Grant
How omega 3 fatty acids reduce blood pressure
Project Grant
Award for Early Career Research - Geoff Isbister
HMRI Award for Early Career Research

2001

Non-contact cardiac mapping study.
Equipment Grant
Researchers:

Professor Peter Fletcher, Dr James Leitch

2000

Nutritional status of children undergoing chemotherapy; a cross sectional review
Project Grant