The funding will ensure the establishment of a world-class facility that will accommodate significantgrowth in the area of dementia research. With this financial support realised, and the initial projectdesign completed, work on this vital development can now move ahead immediately.
The Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute (POWMRI) spearheaded the initiative and will lead thenew strategic direction and development of the Precinct. Other stakeholders include the University ofNew South Wales (UNSW), Prince of Wales Hospital and the Black Dog Institute.POWMRI?s Executive Director, Professor Peter Schofield said, “Neurological and psychiatric disordersof the brain and nervous system pose the largest health, economic and social burden to Australia.
“”Our future plans require a significant new investment into a purpose-built, world-class, researchfacility. Quality laboratory space and clinical research facilities are critical to attracting and supportingresearch excellence.”
Crucial to the future success of the nation?s dementia research program is the recruitment ofinternational leaders in the field ? leaders such as world renowned Clinical Neuroscientist, ProfessorJohn Hodges, currently MRC Professor of Behavioural Neurology at Cambridge University.The appointment of Professor Hodges is a joint initiative between UNSW and POWMRI. ProfessorHodges, who will take up his UNSW professorial appointment based at POWMRI later this year, hasproposed an innovative dementia research program that will substantially advance fundamentalknowledge of cognitive processes. Importantly, his research program has a strong translationalcomponent through the development of improved methods for rehabilitation and health outcomes inpatients.
Vice Chancellor of UNSW, Professor Fred Hilmer said, “We welcome the government’s significantinvestment in what will be a world-class centre for research in this very important field. UNSW is aleader in brain sciences. The new Precinct will significantly enhance our research efforts through thecombined activities of our Faculty of Medicine, POWMRI, the Prince of Wales Hospital and the BlackDog Institute. I believe it will provide opportunities for major steps forward in the area of neuroscience.”The Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, Professor Gordon Parker, said this an excitingopportunity for POWMRI and the Black Dog Institute to also advance their collaborative researchstudies into mood disorders and the dementing conditions, particularly in pursing genetic and otherbiological causes.