Professor Perry Bartlett congratulated on CSL Florey Medal win
12 Nov 2015
Media release Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne today congratulated leading Australian neuroscientist Professor Perry Bartlett on receiving the 2015 Florey Medal for medical research.
Professor Bartlett was recognised for his ground-breaking discoveries that transformed our understanding of the brain, and for his leadership of neuroscience in Australia.
“Professor Bartlett is a pioneer in his field, who is best known for breaking the scientific dogma that the adult brain can’t change and regenerate, and for establishing the Queensland Brain Institute in 2002,” Mr Pyne said.
“Professor Bartlett’s current work to discover if exercise can reverse dementia has the potential to revolutionise treatment of this devastating condition.
“Professor Bartlett’s work has been supported by the Australian Government through the National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Research Council. As well as this the Government committed $200 million over five years to focus on dementia research in the 2014-15 Budget.
“This investment has immeasurable return from its potential to reduce the burden of dementia and other neurological disorders on individuals, families and the community.
“His foresight and dedication in establishing the Queensland Brain Institute has nurtured a new generation of Australian neuroscientists who are making their own world-leading discoveries.”
Dementia affects more than 300,000 Australians and has a direct cost of more than $5 billion a year. Dementia rates are expected to rise with our aging population.
The $50,000 CSL Florey Medal is presented every two years by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS). The award recognises significant achievements in biomedical science and human health advancement.