Young Sydney professionals raise funds for medical research

On August 15 the Garvan Institute of Medical Research appointed the inaugural Young Garvan Patron’s Fellow, Ms  Alison Gosby. Alison has joined Garvan’s Diabetes & Obesity research program under the leadership of Professor David  James. Alison will be working on Garvan’s unique Traditional Chinese Medicine* project which researches how  traditional Chinese medicines work in the treatment of diabetes.    

Committee member, Katherine Keating, says, "The Young Garvan project is helping our brightest researchers to reach  their potential. The committee is delighted to have Alison on board, as the first of many Young Garvan Fellowship  researchers.”   

Funds for the inaugural Young Garvan Patron’s Fellowship were raised through the outstanding efforts of the Young  Garvan Committee**. The committee organises public health forums aimed at raising awareness of health related issues  such as addiction, bipolar disorder, cancer, obesity and genetic research to the young professionals of Sydney. Over 1400  people have attended a Young Garvan event over the past three years raising in excess of $60,000.  Attendees of events are  encouraged to become “Patrons” giving them ownership of the program.   

Lauren Sutton, Chairman of the committee says, “It is great to see the generosity of our Young Patrons, sponsors and  supporters directly resulting in the funding of a very worthy young scientist to work on such a valuable program in the  treatment of diabetes.”   

Alison Gosby says, "I am grateful to the Young Garvan Committee, sponsors and Patrons for the fellowship. The fellowship  will assist in a smooth transition from PhD study to postdoctoral work. I am looking forward to a productive and exciting  year!"   

Alison Gosby will be introduced to the Young Garvan Patron’s, who through their donations have supported her research  role at Garvan for the next year, at the next forum on September 22.    

The Garvan Institute is one of Australia’s foremost medical research institutes with research programs covering some of  the most common and debilitating diseases affecting our community. Garvan researchers have made significant  breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, bipolar disorder,  Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and asthma. 

For more information, or to arrange an interview with a Young Garvan Committee member please contact Liz Eassie on 02  9295 8117 or email l.eassie@garvan.org.au   

* In 2004 the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS) in China  signed an historic agreement heralding a new international initiative in the quest for a cure for diabetes.  This special  alliance will focus on a major effort between scientists at both Institutes initially in the area of the current diabetes & obesity  epidemic, with specific projects in Traditional Chinese Medicines.   

**2005 YGC: Phil Cawood, Sally Cowin, Charles Curran Jnr, Elizabeth Eassie, Gordon Eckel, Sinclair Gray, Tim James,  Katherine Keating, Cassie Lapointe, Dr Matt Lyons, Lauren Miller, Dr Darren Saunders & Lauren Sutton.