The wide range of world-leading research under way at the Flinders precinct – from cancer and sleep to rheumatoid arthritis and more – will be highlighted at this year’s Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) Research Week.
SALHN Rheumatology Consultant, Flinders University Associate Professor Mihir Wechalekar, will present today (19 September) on his group’s research into an innovative trial into targeted rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
He will share insights into a current clinical trial involving the examination of joint tissue where rheumatoid arthritis is present and the use of individualised treatment with disease modifying drugs to provide a more targeted approach.
Around 456,000 Australians have rheumatoid arthritis, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data (2017-2018), and it is hoped this research will optimise treatment to slow the disease and irreversible joint damage it causes.
“Despite advances in therapeutic medications over the past two decades, rheumatoid arthritis continues to have a profound impact on individuals and society due to treatments that have failed to halt irreversible joint damage caused by the disease,” says Associate Professor Wechalekar.
SALHN CEO, Professor Kerrie Freeman, says, “Research is a part of so many of our clinicians’ everyday lives, as they trial new ways to deliver care for patients, and ultimately improve the lives of South Australians.”
SALHN Research Week at Flinders Medical Centre from 18 to 22 September is supported by Flinders Foundation and Flinders University. Some sessions will be livestreamed.
More than 50 research leaders will showcase this research to the community and demonstrate how the trials taking place in laboratories and health services translate into better health care.
Presenters include Professor Jonathan Craig, Professor Bogda Koczwara, Professor Jonathan Gleadle, Professor Gillian Harvey, Professor Robyn Clark, Professor Kate Laver, Professor Alison Kitson, Dr Mia Pellizzer, Associate Professor Erin Symonds, Associate Professor Niranjan Bidargaddi, Associate Professor Craig Whitehead, Professor David Watson, Associate Professor Savio George Barreto, Associate Professor Nicola Dean, Dr Ben Riley and many more.
It also features the annual Chalmers Oration, delivered by alumna Leanne Liddle, on Thursday. For more information and to register click here.
The five-day event winds up on Friday a grants roundup, a showcase on Aboriginal health research presented by Associate Professor Tamara Mackean and the keynote presentation ‘Australia’s Sleep Health Revolution’, delivered by Professor Danny Eckert and Professor Robert Adams from FHMRI Sleep Health. Professor Nick Spencer will also launch the memoirs of Matthew Flinders Distinguished Emeritus Professor Marcello Costa on Friday.