Images: Supplied by SAHMRI
Immersed in spectacular light in the chill of the winter night, participants of the SAHMRI BRIGHT Walk all band together to raise money for the live changing research conducted by the world-class facility.
And now, we’d like you to meet the faces of the SAHMRI BRIGHT Walk! Four inspiring researchers, each representing a crucial field of the life-saving research currently under way inside the famous cheese-grater building on North Terrace.
The non-stop work at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute is split into four themes; SAHMRI Women and Kids, Lifelong Health, Precision Cancer Medicine and Aboriginal Health Equity, with more than 700 researchers all dedicated to building a better, brighter future for all.
Dr Karen Best has devoted her life’s work to improving the health of women and babies, both as a neonatal nurse and a researcher.
Recently, Dr Best and her colleagues from the SAHMRI Women and Kids Theme have been focusing on the relationship between omega-3 levels and reducing the risk of preterm birth.
The team is currently running the first free omega-3 screening program for pregnant women in the world, right here in South Australia and is hoping to expand it around the country.
“Our omega-3 work has shown that women who are low in omega-3 in early pregnancy, can significantly cut down their risk of having a premature baby by using omega-3 supplements,” Dr Best said.
“My vision is for omega-3 testing to be made freely available to all women in Australia and for those with low levels to be able to access subsidised omega-3 supplements.”
Dr Tim Sargeant is leading SAHMRI’s mission to find a cure for dementia and slow age-related disease through research dedicated to informing people of how healthily they’re ageing at a cellular level with unprecedented accuracy.
Dr Sargeant’s team recently developed the first ever blood test to measure autophagy in humans, the body’s process of recycling junk from cells.
“Biological ageing is caused by the deterioration of known processes that work in the cells that make up your body. One day, this will cause you to have an age-related disease,” Dr Sargeant said.
“If we can understand how to increase autophagy in people, then we can slow biological ageing and delay age-related disease.”
Dr Zeyad Nassar is an early career researcher focused on eradicating prostate cancer related deaths and improving quality of life for men around the world.
Dr Nassar has put forward compelling evidence about the therapeutic benefits of targeting specific metabolic pathways in prostate cancer by using drugs that are already on the market for the treatment of heart conditions.
His work may have the potential to dramatically slow down tumour growth.
“New therapies that can delay treatment resistance, as well as effectively treat prostate cancer are key to reducing deaths related to the disease.”
“I believe that research and creating new knowledge is the most powerful way to make an impact on people’s health and quality of life and I want to be part of the solution.”
Eugene Warrior is the Senior Engagement and Knowledge Broker within the Aboriginal Health Equity Theme.
His work is all about connecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to research and services, ultimately helping to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health.
“Our rapid translation of the data we collect allows us to inform policy makers and service providers so they can deliver the necessary services that will change lives for the better,” Mr Warrior said.
“My ultimate vision is to help enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to walk a journey together with health organisations, local stakeholders and services to build a strong, healthy, happy and safe place for all.”
More than 1000 people have already signed up to take part in the BRIGHT Walk on the evening of July 23. The 21km circuit around North Adelaide and the CBD includes some stunning light installations and will raise vital funds to support all the amazing research at SAHMRI and there’s still time for you to join in to help the cause!
The SAHMRI BRIGHT Walk takes place on Saturday 23rd July 2022.
For more information or to register, head to the BRIGHT website and become part of something special.
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