NHMRC success for MSHS researchers
Congratulations to A/Prof Stephanie Filbay and Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones for receiving NHMRC Investigator Grants! Stephanie and Ceecee are amongst other University recipients across the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.
The 2025 NHMRC Investigator Grants provide the highest-performing researchers in biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research at all career stages with salary funding and a significant research support package. This allows the Chief Investigator to have flexibility in pursuing important new research directions, adjust resources, and collaborate as needed to foster innovative and creative research.
Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones from the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences was awarded an investigator grant to advance ocular genomics and improve the diagnosis of genetic eye diseases. Her research focuses on using novel genomic sequencing technologies to identify new genetic changes responsible for rare, currently untreatable eye diseases. Her work integrates clinical and genomic data to understand factors influencing eye disease progression, enabling the development of personalised treatment strategies. This research will contribute to the discovery of new treatments for genetic eye diseases and support the broader integration of genomic medicine in eye care. Ultimately, Dr Britten-Jones’ program aims to advance genetic testing innovations, leading to better outcomes for individuals living with vision loss.
A/Prof Stephanie Filbay from the Department of Physiotherapy received a grant for her project ‘Bridging the gap between evidence and practice to improve management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries’. In Australia, most people with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury have reconstructive surgery, despite best current evidence showing early ACL surgery is no better than first-line non-surgical treatment for patient outcomes. Limited information to patients, misinformation, and misconceptions on non-surgical ACL treatments all drive the overuse of early surgery to treat ACL injuries.
Steph’s grant will allow her to facilitate global efforts to improve ACL injury management by bridging the gap between evidence and practice. Her program of research aims to inform patients about treatment options, educate clinicians about evidence-based management of ACL injury, and define the skillsets needed to deliver high-quality ACL injury care. This will also build on new knowledge from Steph’s previous NHMRC EL1 Investigator Grant (2021-25) which demonstrated the potential for ACL ruptures to heal without surgery. She will address critical knowledge gaps in this area to inform treatment decisions and clinical practice recommendations.
