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International honours for PHI scientists
Posted 17 November 2009
Two scientists from Prince Henry’s Institute (PHI) in Victoria are to receive medal honours from the UK Society for Endocrinology. The awards recognise their major personal contributions to international hormone research.
PHI Director Professor Matthew Gillespie congratulated Professor Evan Simpson and Professor Peter Fuller and noted that they follow in the footsteps of some outstanding Institute researchers who have previously received such recognition. “These prestigious awards also highlight and reinforce PHI’s position as one of the world’s premier centres for hormone research” he said.
Professor Evan Simpson, Head of the Metabolism and Cancer Laboratory at PHI, will be awarded the 2011 Dale Medal, the highest accolade bestowed by the Society. The award is made on an annual basis to a member of the scientific community in recognition of outstanding studies which have changed our understanding of endocrinology in a fundamental way.
The award of the Dale Medal confirms Professor Evan Simpson’s role as a world leader in the field of research into the hormone oestrogen. His group was the first to clone the gene encoding aromatase, the key enzyme that controls production of this hormone. His research led to the concept that oestrogen action in postmenopausal women is due to local production and action in sites such as the breast, bone and brain.
Evan’s research has led to the development of targeted drugs for breast cancer therapy. His research has also led to the discovery of new and unexpected roles for oestrogens in both men and women. Current research at PHI is focused on the role of oestrogen in several important health conditions, including breast cancer, obesity and diabetes.
Professor Peter Fuller, Associate Director and Head of the Steroid Receptor Biology Laboratory at PHI, is to be awarded the 2011 Hoffenberg International Medal. The award, which is made to an endocrinologist judged to have made outstanding contributions to hormone research, also promotes international collaboration between researchers.
The award highlights Professor Peter Fuller’s international reputation as both a clinician and a scientist. Peter’s research interests lie in understanding the molecular mechanisms of steroid hormone action. He has led studies that focus on the adrenal steroid hormone aldosterone and its role in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. His laboratory also studies the molecular pathogenesis of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary.
Both Evan and Peter will travel to the UK in March 2011 where they will give their medal lectures at the Society for Endocrinology annual meeting.
Further Information
What is Endocrinology?
Endocrinology is the study of hormones. Hormones are now known to be made by almost every organ of the body. A hormone is a chemical messenger released in the body that has an effect on other parts of the body and their action is vital activities such as, growth, puberty, body metabolism, and bone growth. PHI research into hormones has led to significant new understandings which are leading to better diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and advances in reproductive health.
About Prince Henry's Institute
Prince Henry's Institute (PHI) is world renowned for its research into endocrinology, the study of hormones. The Institute has over 160 staff and students and our vision is to improve quality of life through the investigation of hormones in the fields of reproductive health, cancer, diabetes, obesity, bone health and cardiovascular disease. Research at PHI includes fundamental laboratory research understanding human biology, translational studies focussed upon developing better diagnostics and new treatments and clinical programs to improve patient care. PHI is an independent not-for-profit medical research institute based at Monash Medical Centre in Victoria, Australia.
About The Society for Endocrinology
The Society for Endocrinology is the major British society representing scientists, clinicians and nurses who work with hormones. Previous Society for Endocrinology medals awarded to PHI researchers: 2006, Dale Medal - Professor Jock Findlay, 2001, Asia & Oceania Medal - Professor Iain Clarke, 1999, Asia & Oceania Medal - Professor Jock Findlay, 1997, Dale Medal - Professor Henry Burger, 1996, Asia & Oceania Medal - Professor John Funder