Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, an institute of The University of Tasmania, has attracted $755,000 in federal research grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, an institute of The University of Tasmania, has attracted $755,000 in federal research grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The funding will benefit two projects at Menzies.

Associate Professor Greg Woods was awarded $380,000 over three years through the Discovery Projects scheme for his research into the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

Project Title:  Host-tumour interplay in Tasmanian devils with devil facial tumour disease: can immune cells be harnessed for therapy?

Project Summary:  Tasmanian devils only exist naturally in Tasmania and Devil Facial Tumour Disease, an infectious cancer, could cause the extinction of the Tasmanian devil. This project will determine if Devil Facial Tumour Disease reduces the effectiveness of the devil's immune system and test if activated immune cells can protect against this disease.

Dr Fay Johnston received a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) that will provide $375,000 over three years for her research into the community health impacts of smoke pollution.

Project Title: Living with bushfires: generating essential evidence for sustainable fire

Project Summary:  Planned burning is a crucial tool for bushfire management yet a side effect is smoke pollution. This research will use ambulance data to assess the acute community health impacts of smoke from wild and planned fires to provide essential evidence for increasing the safety and acceptability of planned burning operations in Australia.

Funding for both projects will begin in 2013.

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