CF research in running for Eureka Prize

Professor Scott Bell (third from left) and colleagues from the CF Air team are finalists in the 2018 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

Congratulations to Professor Scott Bell and colleagues from the CF Air team who are finalists in Australia’s leading science awards, the 2018 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

The CF Air team has uncovered the process by which deadly pathogens causing airway infections are transmitted between cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Their research has attracted considerable attention from the CF community, impacting clinical practice and policy and ultimately reducing infection rates among CF patient groups.

They are one of two finalists in the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research.

The collaborative team is drawn from The Prince Charles Hospital, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Children’s Health Queensland, University of Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Health and Queensland University of Technology. The Prince Charles team involved in this program include MPhil student and Senior Study Coordinator/Physiotherapist Michelle Wood and PhD Student Rebecca Stockwell, who have both published important work from the research group on the role of masks in reducing the risk of cross-infection this year in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Forty-seven finalists are in the running for one of 16 Museum Eureka Prizes in the categories of:

• Research & Innovation
• Leadership
• Science Engagement
• School Science

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes will be announced on Wednesday 29 August 2018.