Dr Elizabeth Webb and Dr Tom Lea-Henry from the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) have been honoured with the inaugural CHARM Rising Star - Outstanding New Researcher Awards. This prestigious recognition was announced at the Canberra Health Annual Research Meeting (CHARM), held from 17 to 21 June 2024.

Dr Elizabeth Webb, a researcher within the Clinical Hub for Interventional Research (CHOIR) group led by Professor Mark Polizzotto, has made groundbreaking contributions to patient-centred research, particularly in the management of cellulitis and chronic oedema. Her randomised controlled trial demonstrated that compression therapy significantly reduces the risk of cellulitis recurrence in patients with chronic leg swelling by 77%. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, this study has already influenced clinical guidelines globally and is being implemented in medical practices around the world.

“Winning the Outstanding New Researcher Award at the CHARM event is an incredible honour and a testament to the collective efforts of my clinical and academic team,” said Dr Webb. “This recognition inspires me to continue my pursuit of advancing our understanding and treatment of these conditions to deliver better outcomes for patients.”

Dr Tom Lea-Henry, from the Personalised Medicine and Autoimmunity group under Associate Professor Simon Jiang, has identified a genetic change that reduces the severity of autoimmune kidney disease (glomerulonephritis or GN) in a mouse model. This discovery points to a new potential therapeutic approach for GN, which is a leading cause of kidney failure in Australia, especially among those under 40. Dr Lea-Henry’s work is paving the way for the development of a new class of drugs that could revolutionize the treatment of GN by replicating the effects of this genetic change.

“Our discovery identifies a new potential therapeutic approach to this important public health issue. We are currently advanced in efforts to develop a new class of drug that we hope will revolutionize the treatment of GN,” Dr Lea-Henry stated.

Both researchers have exemplified the spirit of innovation and dedication that the CHARM Rising Star Awards seek to honour, reflecting their significant contributions to their respective fields and the broader health research community in Australia.

As JCSMR continues to lead in medical research excellence, the achievements of Dr Webb and Dr Lea-Henry serve as inspirations, promising continued advancements in healthcare innovation and patient care.

JCSMR researchers Ainsley Davis and Rakshanya Sekar were also among the finalists in this award category.

Dr Tom Lea-Henry (Photo: Tracey Nearmy/ANU)

Dr Elizabeth Webb (Photo: Tracey Nearmy/ANU)