The Premier's Science Fellowship Program was today launched at the annual Science on the Swan Conference.
The fellowship will provide $1.5 million over four years to attract a leading researcher and a supporting early to mid-career researcher to Western Australia, to work in the area of human phenomics research and data analysis.
Human phenomics relates to the interactions between the genotype, environment and lifestyle at a molecular level, and metabolic phenotyping of the human population together with correlation of clinical data will lead to improved health care outcomes.
Western Australia is home to Australia's first phenome research hub, the Australian National Phenome Centre, a collaboration between WA universities, key health research institutes and the Department of Health through the Western Australian Health Translation Network, as well as the University of New South Wales and Imperial College London.
The Science on the Swan Conference has been held annually since 2015, and brings together leading local, national and international medical researchers.
The theme of this year's conference is One Health, which is an integrated effort of multiple disciplines that seeks to establish a core understanding of, and effective solutions to, emergent infectious and acquired diseases to deliver health outcomes for our world.
Comments attributed to Science Minister Dave Kelly:
"The fellowships in phenomics research will support an important and growing medical research area.
"It also highlights the benefits of Western Australian medical researchers working together with the support of the Office of Science and the Department of Health."
Comments attributed to Health Minister Roger Cook:
"We have world-class medical researchers and research facilities here in WA.
"The Science on the Swan Conference allows our researchers to meet with national and international counterparts to discuss important health issues.
"The Government is committed to expanding medical research in WA.
"The new fellowship will contribute to this commitment, and build upon the good work already underway through the Australian National Phenome Centre, based here in Perth, and supported by the Department of Health."
Science Minister's office - 6552 6100
Health Minister's office - 6552 6500
