Curtin University Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences, Professor Archie Clements, Amy Woodfield, and CHIRI Director, Prof. John Mamo.

It was a golden moment for the Curtin Health Innovation Research Centre when one of its recent Honours students, Amy Woodfield, stepped onstage at the Australian Society of Medical Research (ASMR) WA Symposium Gala Dinner.

Amy was there to accept the Silver Sponsors Award for the symposium’s Best Presentation by an Honours Student for 2018.

Amy completed her Honours project at CHIRI last year, under the supervision of Associate Professor Giuseppe Verdile, whose team is working in collaboration with Prof. Paul Fraser at the University of Toronto to characterise a new preclinical model of Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes.

Amy’s research is on the association between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes, focusing on inflammation as a potential link between the two diseases.

“Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute played an integral role in my Honours degree, the staff and fellow researchers are always willing to help young researchers like myself. Without this support, it would be impossible for my research to continue,” Amy said.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the second leading cause of death in Australia, and with our ageing population it is imperative that we build our understanding on how metabolic disease, like type 2 diabetes can influence Alzheimer’s disease pathologies.”

Two independent markers judged Amy’s presentation, and a panel of ASMR members selected the best presentation from multiple session winners.

Congratulations Amy, all your friends and colleagues at CHIRI are so very proud of your achievement.