Each and every researcher we support is committed to improving treatment and quality of life for patients today and tomorrow, investing hours over years in their search for answers and medical breakthroughs. However, this quest for a better future doesn’t just require an investment of time. Ongoing funding is also required to sustain significant research, but unfortunately, this is something many research projects lack.
Our Research Fellowships offer multi-year salary support for dedicated researchers to conduct their own research project over a specified period. The two different fellowship streams offered by the Foundation are:
- Less than 5 years post PhD for an early career researcher, and
- More than 5 years post PhD for mid-career researcher.
“At the Foundation, we are proud to offer opportunities like research fellowships that allow committed researchers to focus on their work rather than regularly worrying about financial constraints and stability. Grants like this reduce distractions and anxiety for researchers, and by supporting the researcher so they can perform sustained, long-term research efforts, they increase the likelihood of them making meaningful and timely advancements in their chosen field,” said Research Manager Dr Rebekah Engel.
“Also, the Mid-Career Research fellowship is a real point of difference for the Foundation. There is a significant lack of funding for this career stage in particular.”
2025 Research Fellowship Recipients
In this blog, we introduce you to our 2025 Research Fellowship recipients and share insights into their work and why their investigations are so important.
Meet Dr Eric Wu
Title of project: Development of an Artificial Lung
In Brief: This project aims to develop a reliable, portable, and biocompatible Artificial Lung designed for out-of-hospital use.
This device will address a critical need for patients with end-stage lung failure, serving as a bridge to lung transplantation or as a long-term therapy for those who are ineligible for transplant, significantly improving patient mobility and quality of life.
“Currently, patients with end-stage lung failure may rely on machines like ECMO (external life-support machine), which are large, complex, and keep patients confined to ICUs. These machines are only used short-term and come with serious risks like bleeding, infection, organ damage, patient deterioration due to being bed-bound, muscle deconditioning, and high risk of death,” said Dr Wu.
By replacing bulky, intensive care unit (ICU) bound temporary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems with a durable Artificial Lung, this device aims to:
- improve survival,
- reduce complications (blood trauma),
- support mobility and rehabilitation, and
- free up ICU bed space and reduce costs (>$120,000/patient)
Dr Wu said, “We are working closely with patients, families, and clinicians to ensure the device is practical, comfortable, and accessible for those who need it most. This project has the potential to transform treatment for severe lung disease, helping people regain independence, avoid long hospital stays, and live healthier for longer.”
What funding from the Foundation’s supporters means to Dr Wu
“I am extremely appreciative of the generous support provided by donors to The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation. This fellowship offers essential financial resources to advance the Artificial Lung through preclinical development, preparing the technology for future clinical studies. It also provides the stability needed to grow the Innovative Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Laboratory, enabling me to mentor outstanding research students and staff as we work together to drive the device toward clinical impact,” he said.
Meet Dr Lisa Jurak
Title of project: Pro-MIX Protease-microbiome interactions in bronchiectasis
In Brief: Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition where the airways become damaged, widened, and filled with mucus. This environment makes it easier for harmful bacteria to settle in the lungs, leading to frequent chest infections, ongoing inflammation, and worsening lung damage over time. A key driver of this process is the body’s own immune system. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that usually helps fight infections, release powerful enzymes called proteases. While these proteases are designed to kill germs, in bronchiectasis, they are released in excess and can also damage the delicate airway tissue. At the same time, bacteria living in the lungs, known as the airway microbiome, can contribute to this harmful cycle.
Although both proteases and the microbiome are recognised as major contributors to airway injury, how they interact with each other is not fully understood. This represents an important gap in knowledge. By defining how neutrophil-driven protease activity interacts with the airway microbiome, we aim to identify new biomarkers and targets for precision therapies that can interrupt the destructive cycle of infection and inflammation in people with bronchiectasis.
“This will enable earlier detection of high-risk patients, reduce exacerbations, and slow lung damage. Ultimately, these advances will improve long-term health outcomes, extend quality of life, and reduce the burden of chronic respiratory disease on patients and the healthcare system,” said Dr Jurak.
What the funding from the Foundation’s supporters means to Dr Jurak
“There is very little research going on in Australia in regards to Bronchiectasis – it is a very under-funded and under-researched area,” said Dr Jurak.
“Honestly, I can’t really describe the impact that this fellowship is going to have. Because of this fellowship, I’m able to pivot my research from severe asthma and cystic fibrosis into a new area, so it’s allowing me to take ownership of my own research and contribute something meaningful to research.”
Meet Dr Avishka Wickramarachchi
Title of project: A novel solution towards reducing complications and encouraging cardiac recovery during VA ECMO
In Brief: This research project will develop a novel cannula for Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) that increases oxygenated blood flow to the heart and brain while reducing the load on the heart.
VA ECMO is a vital treatment option for patients with cardiorespiratory failure, providing necessary support until a long-term solution can be implemented. However, the cannulas used during current treatment place the patient at high risk of complications such as stroke, oxygen deprivation of vital organs, and overloading the heart, which worsens the patient’s condition. These cannula-related complications contribute to high patient mortality (> 50%), prolonged hospital stays, and significant additional ICU costs. To combat this, there is an urgent need for a cannula that can provide oxygenated blood flow to all extremities of the body in a manner that facilitates cardiac workload reduction.
“Clinical translation of the novel cannula will impact short- and long-term outcomes for VA ECMO patients by ensuring they survive the treatment itself without disability, while also enabling recovery of their native heart such that additional risk-laden treatment options aren’t required,” said Dr Wickramarachchi.
What funding from the Foundation’s supporters means to Dr Wickramarachchi
“I am incredibly grateful. Without these people, we wouldn’t be able to push this frontier in cardiovascular engineering. To have someone else contribute to this advancement in innovation is really amazing,” said Dr Wickramarachchi.
Applying for the Foundation’s Research Grants
The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s funding contributes to the acceleration of research outcomes throughout the research journey.
You can view all of the Foundation’s upcoming grants, including available funding and opening and closing dates of opportunities, at our Researcher Hub.
To learn more about the requirements and process, or if you have any questions at all, please contact Research Manager Dr Rebekah Engel via email research@tpchfoundation.org.au.
